April 26, 1955 
Dr. Waldo L. Schmitt 
c/o Louis van den Berghe, Director, IRSAC 
Lwiro (Katana) D. S. Bukavu, Belgian Congo 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
Please do not woriy about the assignment which you gave me. There are 
always many misunderstandings over any project so large as this Congo expedition. 
When the work of launching such a venture is over, the little participants who 
are left at home always simmer down and settle to work with their horns retracted. 
They tend to forget the frayed nerves of last minute "Will the equipment get there?* 
or *Will the papers come through?** etc. 
I have worked for Miss Weiss and Miss McCain. Both have been very understanding 
if any last minute business arose in the office of the HCZ which needed my attention. 
That was my main hesitation over working in another office. Nor have I worked com- 
pletely in' the dark. Both Miss Weiss and Miss McCain have patiently answered any 
of ray green queries here and there. I have never worked directly for either before 
but I find that I would not pause in the future for both explain enough to keep me 
interested in the cases with which I deal. So it hasn’t turned out to be dull 
‘•bottle washing.** Some of the paper work has proved quite interesting and I have 
learned a little. Naturally, I hope it shows. Now, don't jump to conclusions 
over that remark, either. Sometimes I feel that you and I talk a different language 
though I often see our work goals <ire the same. 
Now, about the office. We are expecting Dr. Bail^'s group from Duke at the 
end of the week. 
I was in Dr. Pettibone’s office for two weeks while they painted the floors 
in 301. It really looks much better in here now and I am glad I will not have to 
move my piles of papers back and forth. 
The following is quoted from a letter to you of April 12 from Paolo Ciceri, 
Varazze - Via M. Grappa, IU/D, Italy: “On your way back (from Congo) you should 
destine, at least, two days for the visit of Milan & Varazze, in which you will 
be my guest* I hope to have the opportunity of meeting you again and have the 
pleasure of speaking with you longer. I await, therefore, with interest your 
further news, and remain " 
So far I have received (on April 18) only one container of kodaslides already 
developed. It shall remairj unopened unless you direct otherwise, Mr. Wilding and 
I have talked to the Strauss people here. Mr. LeCroix of that firm has confirmed 
Dr. Sexton’s instructions to Mr. Wilding, i.e., Strauss is supposed to check all 
pictures returned from the developing companies. If that is to be the case we 
cannot obtain your black and whites to have prints made. I think it is a good 
idea to have these films checked by professionals but we shall need your directions 
as to whether we must request the black and white negatives after Strauss has seen 
them. Since the idea behind the Sexton-Strauss arrangement seems to be that of 
checking numbered film against cameras"thus learning the camera faults— I doubt if 
it is necessary to send your first kodachromes (those received April 1^) for 
checking. These were probably taken by a camera not checked by Mr. LeCroix. 
There were no biack cords so I enclose one of the natural. Envelopes enclosed, too. 
Tou received an announcement of the birth (Mar. 25) of Ruth Serena Reed, San Antonio, Tex, 
We have received your instructions about sending film to Okie St. by messenger. 
No further news. Good collecting! 
Sincerely yours, 
Virginia Beets, Secretary, HCZ 
