SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
March 7, 1946. 
Dr. Alexander letmore, 
c/o Mr. James Zetek, 
Canal Zone Biological Area, 
Drawer C., 
Balboa, Canal Zone. 
Dear Doctor Wetmore: 
You are in receipt of an invitation from the staff and students 
of the University of Minnesota to be present at an educational conference 
celebrating the inauguration of James Lewis Morrill as the eighth president 
of the University of Minnesota from April 23 to April 25. While this 
celebration takes place shortly after you return from the field, obviously 
you should be present. Certainly I think the Institution should be repre¬ 
sented. If you are ■unable to attend this inauguration yourself, I would 
like to suggest that we appoint Dr. Ford of the American Historical Asso¬ 
ciation and a former president of the University of Minnesota as an 
associate in history of the Smithsonian Institution, and have him represent 
us at this celebration, provided, of course, that he is not going in some 
other capacity. I have long felt that it would be very wise to have him 
given some official connection with the Smithsonian, since he is one of our 
firm friends and he stands in the top register of American scholars. The 
speakers at this celebration include Senator Morse from Oregonj Harlow 
Shapley and Dr. Conant from Harvardj Dr. Shuster, President of Hunter Col¬ 
lege j and Dr. Stoddard, President-elect of the University of Illinois. 
At the inauguration ceremonies Dr. Day, President of Cornell University, 
will be the principal speaker. They are very anxious to have this invita¬ 
tion answered as soon as possible, so apparently some haste is necessary. 
If Dr. Ford cannot represent us, or if you would prefer other¬ 
wise, we could choose some one from the Smithsonian, either Dr. Bassler, 
Dr. Kellogg, or Dr. Cooper. I think you should make this second choice 
so that we will be certain that the matter can be answered fully without 
taking the time to contact you further. 
Very truly yours. 
. E.fGraf/ I Jpg 
Assistant Secretary. 
JEGjmmh 
VIA AIR MIL 
