July 17, 1939 
Mr. Robert B. Thompson, SK2c, U.S.N. 
U.S.S. HOUSTON 
c/o The Postmaster 
Seattle, Washington 
Dear Thompson: 
I can’t begin to thank you for those several sendings of 
beautiful photographs. The 5*7*8 came with your letter and the two 
envelopes of smaller ones a day or two later. I am as pleased as 
punch to have the*, yet with it all a bit sorry, because the pictures 
bring home to me what I missed. I would have given almost anything to 
have been along on that last Presidential cruise. You will be having 
another trip with hi® in the very near future, for as soon as he gets 
through with the difficulties that Congress has raised, he is going to 
make a quick dash up to Alaska. I saw Captain Callaghan just a day or 
two ago. 
The Institution has made a number of trips in cooperation 
with the Navy, especially at the time when some major eclipse has taken 
place. If I ever have the chance, I shall certainly do my best to see 
that you get an opportunity to go along. I have to go to the South 
Pacific this fall, but, as that is in connection with a National Geo- 
graphic Society expedition, they will be furnishing the photographers 
and so I shall have no say on that score. You certainly did well by 
me and if I can. I’ll have you another time. 
The Geographic definitely turned down all papers on the big 
cruise. I sometimes think they might have taken our joint efforts 
if there had not been the question between Ageton's paper and mine, but 
I have no regrets. It is too bad, though, that I couldn't get your 
pictures figured in that magazine. 
You will certainly have a grand time filming the national 
parks. They have been done on many occasions, but there is always 
room for another good picture. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo L. Schmitt, Curator, 
Division of Marine Invertebrates. 
WLS : LMc 
