bill containing that clause. They passed it under gag rule, however, allowing 
no debate and no amendments. Democrats and hepublicais alike made an awful 
squawk about it and it was thoroughly understood that the Senate would not 
pass it. The Senate then drew up an amendment restoring 5 per cent retroactive 
to Feb. 1, another 5 per cent July 1, with the last 5 per cent to be restored 
at Roosevelt's discretion. It was said that the Administration would accept 
such an amendment, although Roosevelt objects to giving us ar^thing now 
more than 5 per cent in July. Well that bill passed the Senate yesterday, then 
some one introduced the bill xs making full restoration July 1st, and it passed 
too. There is some fear that if it passes the Rouse, Roosevelt will veto it, 
and the thought is that the House may pass the bill giving us 5 per cent now 
and 5 in Jxily, v/hich would be acceptable to Roosevelt. It would be nice to 
get it all back, but, believe me, 1*11 be mighty gratefxrl for anything we get. 
I never wore so many patched clothes in my life as I have worn this winter. 
It woiuld be nice to feel able to buy a nevi pair of hose. 
De Laubenfels is a nut I All the while you have been gone he has been 
writing letters in here that come to us for answer, but he writes impersonally 
to "The Rational Museum, " saying, "Gentlemen: In Dr. Schmitt's absence I do 
not know just whom to address, so am addressing you in the hope that this letter 
vd.ll go to the J)roper person, ebc., etc." Not long ago he wrote in (to the 
National Museum) asking for catalog n-umbers foi- the Johnson sponges and for 
ills own Panama ones and asked a long list of questions on nomenclature, fv'e 
sent him 200 numbers and Miss Rathbun answered the questions on nomenclature. 
Mr. Shoemaker wrote him a long letter transmitting the catalog numbers and Miss 
Rathbun 's answers, end didn't the nut write back again to "The National Museum" 
saying we didn't send him enough numbers and making several direct replies to 
questions Mr, Shoemaker had asked. He also said that he would like to know about 
when you would be returning. He has had an appendicitis operation lately and 
he had to tell "The National Museum" all about that. It was only slightly less 
detailed than his description of the mumps and the effect on him. You would 
think that the man had never met any one in this division but you. Has he got 
a brain? Just one tiny, little brain? 
Mr. Chace left a week ago Monday. He was a very nice person to 
have around, although Mr. Shoemaker complained that he used great quantities 
of our supplies, and so he did, but they all do that. 
Mr. Artschwager w'as in a few days ago to see you. He didn't know 
you were gone. He said he would come back in the spring after you are back. 
A paper (ms.) came yesteraay from Carlgren on Bartlett's actinians. 
It is seven pages longhand (his fine handwriting) and one figure. 
Two short manuscripts are here from Treadwell, one on the serpulid 
from the lobster carapace and one on the worm from North Dakota for which we 
had no locality. He sent back a piece of the lobster carapace with a section 
mariced off for photographing. A requisition for the photograph has been 
approved but Mr. Hightower has not called for the work yet. Treadwell suggested 
the Wash. A.cad. for the paper, and as soon as the photograph is made we 
may trj'- sending it in. 
