15IC}>a^iL.YWOOU> 
aaoa^a^irwooiro gi::EC?iTa®.s"r'ir mKsMi>€s» 
September 26, 1935 
Dr* Weld-O D* Sclimltt, 
U. S. National Museum, 
vYashingto n, D . C . 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
I am writing you for some information, 
and would ask that you keep this communication entirely 
confidential. Please do not permit anyone to knov/ of the 
contents. This applies especially to certain people who 
are now in Washington and live in Los Angeles. 
I wish to know whether or not there are 
certain branches of science which could be materially 
benefited by it being made possible for suitable collectors 
in the various lines to go along the west coast of North and 
South America, say, from southern Mexico down at least to 
Guayaquil. I principally refer to people who would be of 
the highest possible type in their various lines. YYhat 
these lines are, I do not know, and would ask your 
suggestions - the collection of certain shells, certain algee 
certain Crustacea and other things which you might know of. 
It would, of course, be highly essential that any man wlw 
might be selected would be of the proper type and tempei^ent. 
There is nothing at all definite as to 
a trip as yet; it is just in the thinking, as you might say, 
and I am writing this simply to find out, if possible, 
whether such a trip would be worth while. 
Very trul/^^yours , 
W. Chas. Swett 
WCS:ES 
