mm2 — 
On February 28, 1923, I submitted a formal application fcr consider- 
ation under the terms of the Virginia Purdy Bacon bequest. ^Receiving no 
word regarding this application, some months later, on inquiry, you referred 
me to Dr. Stejneger, chairman of a committee directed to draw up regulations 
regarding the award of the schol arsliip. Dr. Stejneger told me (your note 
of March 5, 1924, is the first witten word I have had in connection^with 
either of *y two applications) that ny application would not be considered 
until the Scholarship was suitably advertisedi This was done in the 
July 20, 1923, number of "Science”. 
In view of the regulations therein set fortii, I submitted a revised 
application, October 1, 1923, the last day specified for the submission of 
applications. Then five months later, inquiring as to the fate of this 
application, I am acquainted mth the amazing recommendations of a subcoimiittee. 
With respect to my original application I was told by Dr. Stejneger 
that it was not to be considered until the Vialter Rathbone Bacon Scholarship 
should first be suitably advertised. Is it now intended that before my 
second application will be considered, the scholarship must AG.-HU be 
IdTiFbised and given WIDER publicity" in the face of a refusal on the same 
grounds of ny first application, and tVie announcement of the terms of the 
bequest in "Local Notes", the daily press, the Annual Report, and the 
approximately 10,000 monthly paid circulation of "Science ? 
Lut us suppose, for instance, that my application is again the only 
one submitted, vfhere would the advertising and publicity cease? You^will ^ 
recall that those were the very arguments advanced for refusing consideration 
of my first application. 
After reading Dr. Stejneger's forceful exposition in the Annual 
Report of the Museum for 1919, pages 73-74, of the necessity of field study 
for members of the liiseum staff and the value of such studies to^the 
Institution, f ollo^/red by his statement that the Walter Rathbone Bacon 
Scholarship "is to be hailed as a first step in the right direction," I 
am constrained to ask if menbers of the l.?useura staff are to be excluded 
from the benefits of this dcholarship? 
It is by reason of the facts here presented that I appeal to you^ 
and to the Secretary, through you, f or a favorable decision on my appli- 
cation for the Walter Rathbone Bacon Scholarship. 
Respectfully, 
/s/ V/aldo L. Schmitt. 
I tf 
Thru: Dr. Stejneger, 
Head Curator of Biology. 
