April 1, 1955 
Dr, Waldo L. Schmitt 
c/o American Consulate General 
Leopoldville, Belgian Congo 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
After studying your itinerary I feel that Leopoldville is your point 
of departure and that fran now on you will be “back of beyond* and out of 
touch with all of us. So I forward the last bit of correspondence to you, 
Tou may see M. Matagne before the letter, in which case you will be prepared 
for his news that he cannot supply you with a collector. However, his offer 
to forward the specimens to Tervuren should relieve you of some burden. 
Admiral Colbert phoned today Just to wish you good luck and a pleasant 
trip. All the^coraers and goers* inquire what you are writing and how you 
have landed, 
I may add that I feel more like ray old self more every day and think 
I can begin to function properly here again. The sounds and sights of D. C. 
today are very spring-like and it would be difficult to be aware of aches 
and pains. 
Perhaps you will forget newspapers there, Joseph Pulitzer and Col. 
McCormick died yesterday. I have not heard of the disposition of their 
empires yet. There is more talk of war and ever so often each party implies 
that the spokesmen of the other group should receive a thorough mouth washing. 
All in all, about the same but I envy you the opportunity of hearing how we 
sound to those far away. 
The American Museum Assoc, will have the goldfn jubilee here early in 
June. If there have been unusual occurrences at the USNM I have not heard 
them. I enclose the letter fr<an Matagne and the US stamps which you said 
that you wanted. For now. Goodbye, and 
The best. 
Secretary, Dept. Zoo. 
