October 26, 195>U 
Dr. John Oliver LaGorce 
National Geographic Society 
16 th and M Sts., N.W. 
Washington , D. C. 
Dear Dr. LaGorce: 
I am downright sorry that you have been under the weather with a rather 
heavy cold. I hope it has been not too severe. I know what colds are be- 
cause until I began taking flu shots I had an attack every fall. I am not 
altogether certain that injections dc stop the flu, but I must adroit the 
psychological effect is good and the one year I skipped the shot I paid 
up for it l 
What I have been so anxious to see you about I mentioned to your 
wife. A good friend of mine with whom I spent three months on the Joseph 
Conrad in the W e st Indies in 1937 will be sponsoring a little exploratory 
visit to the Belgian Congo, primarily to investigate the invertebrate^ 
life there— pond life, the river shrimps, and' the land crabs, along with 
the minor (in point of size) insects that are such important carriers of 
many of the tropical diseases. The latter is a problem of prime interest 
tc the Belgian government, and the gentleman who will be the second 
scientific member of the party is a specialist in this field, and has been 
in correspondence with the local Belgian authorities in the Kivu region 
on this very subject. Thus, we will have- prime official contacts, which 
will make for facilities not otherwise available. 
Dr. Carmichael has assured me that the Smithsonian will be happy to 
sponsor the expedition. The party is to consist of five people Mr. 
Bruce Bredin , who will underwrite the major expenses; his wife; two 
scientists. Dr. Wharton and myself; and a photographer. It is regarding 
this latter individual that I approach you. 
Could your Society contribute a competent photographer to the 
expedition?' I hope that you have one free for the period we plan to 
visit the Congo, April and May 19^5. I view of this courtesy, if it is 
possible, Mr. Bredin has indicated to me that he would be only too happy 
to give the National Geographic Society exclusive rights to the first 
oublic showing of the picture, as well as first rights to any publication 
of any of the pictures that your photographer might take. I think there 
will be no question about first rights to the publication of a general, 
over-all, or whatever account you might wish for the Magazine. This last 
point I would have to discuss with Dr. Carmichael, but I am cure he would 
not object, either, because what finer publicity could the institution 
have tnan an article in your publication? 
