UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON, O. C. 
ADDRESS REPLY TO 
CHIEF, BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
AND REFER TO 
December 18, 1920 
D 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore, 
c/o Consul-General of the United States, 
Calle Lavalle 341, 
Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
You doubtless have my recent cable based on what was 
evidently a misunderstanding of the first paragraph in my letter 
of November 8, but I feel sure that my reply to your query has 
covered the matter sufficiently. We are still planning to spend 
if necessary about $6000.00, the amount originally authorized for 
the work in which you are engaged. It did not occur to me that you 
would not understand that the $2800.00 referred to is to cover your 
expenses during the fiscal year, including the cost of your return 
trip to Washington. You will remember that $700.00 was allotted 
for your use during the fiscal year which expired June 30. Of this 
allotment you used all except about $25.00 or $30.00,as I remember. 
This $700.00 plus your salary and the $2800.00 allotted for expenses 
is about equal to the $6000.00 authorized. As a matter of fact, this 
point was covered in my letter of November 23, which you may have 
already received. 
. You mention various alternatives in the way of journeys that 
might be made, and it seems best to let you work the matter out your¬ 
self on the ground as funds and conditions permit. 
The shipment of specimens referred to in your letter of Octo¬ 
ber 18 has not yet reached us, and I am writing to the United States 
Dispatch Agent in New York in order to avoid, if possible, any un- 
necesaary delay at that point. 
Do you think the information desired can be secured by February 
or not long thereafter? Estimating on an average basis of about $210.00 
per month, it would seem that funds would permit you to remain until 
about the month of May, if it seems desirable for you to do so. This 
is a matter that you will have to determine on the ground, and I wish 
you would keep me as thoroughly advised as possible concerning conditions 
as you find them and the advisability or either shortening or prolonging 
the work, We shall also be glad to have your decision concerning the work 
for the . Museum of Natural History, about which Dr. Nelson has 
already 
you 
