STANDARD FORM NO. 64 
jOijice ]S/[.eWlOfClfldufyi • united states government 
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TO : Dr. Wetmore date: January 30, 1952 
FROM : J. S. Graf 
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SUBJECT; Barro Colorado Island projects: 
Attached are some papers you ^■Jlll want to take with you to Panama since 
they will give you the background on matters you will want to discuss with 
Jim Zetek. 
1. Tearing down the Chapman House is apparently not too urgent since 
this has been bat-proofed and fairly well repaired. It is naturally a lame 
duck and will have to come down within a reasonable period since I think it 
is pretty well termite eaten. 
2. Apparently Jim and I are pretty well agreed as to what should be 
completed this fiscal year. This would include: 
(a) Finishing the new building. 
(t) Purchase of two motor generators, probably 10 KVA 
(c) Ptirchase of the library cases. 
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If any money is left over we might try to purchase some of the specimen 
storage cases though this can be handled in the nexb fiscal year. 
As to motor generators, paragraph 2. (b), I see that Jim wants either 
Kohler or Onan. I do not know that specs could be prepared which would 
eliminate those makes which we have found totally unsatisfactory. Apparently 
our only hope of getting either one of these makes would be to have strong 
letters written regarding the desirable qualities these possess as to length 
of life under tropical conditions and thus they would be cheaper in the long 
run. Soper might be able to give us the information we need since he is well 
informed on such technical matters, but I look forward to some trouble in 
getting the generators that have proven so satisfactory in the past. 
Going back to the library cases, if funds start running short, we could 
purchase only part of our needs. 
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I think it should be impressed on Jim that finishing of the storage 
building and requisitioning of motor generators should be speeded up as much 
as possible. Unless these funds are obligated according to oxir allotment, they 
might be scooped up and used for pay bill purposes which would mean that we 
would lose them not only for this year but for all time. 
You may tell Jim that I am still collecting data on fire-resisting paints, 
and should be able to send him some useful suggestions very soon. These paints 
are not protection against a quick or a hot fire, but they do prevent the spread 
of small or slow fires, and I think they would be well worthwhile for interior use. 
Soper may have had some experience with some of these paints. 
Attachments. 
