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Dr. Wetmore 
The meeting of the Board of Trustees takes place at the National Gallery of 
Art on Tuesday, and I will represent you at that time. Huntington Cairns has 
discussed one of the delicate matters which will probably come up for consideration. 
I told him that I hoped he could get in some good work and settle it pretty much 
before the meeting, and I rather think he will. 
We have been urged by some of the Navy group to put on quite a celebration 
on May 8th on the 30th anniversary of the NC-4 Plight. The matter is rather a 
delicate one in view of the battle between Naval Air and Air Forces, and we are 
trying to keep the thing within bounds. I understand the Navy has a bronze 
plaque from the Portuguese Government, struck in commemoration of this flight, 
and they wish to present it to us. I am glad to say that apparently arrangements 
will be made by Admiral Pride so I think it can be kept within bounds. I told 
"Mit" that he would probably have to represent the Institution at this affair, and 
that I thought our participation should be little more than a greeting to those 
who are taking part in noting the flight of the NC-4, and in accepting on behalf 
of the Institution any addition the Navy will make to this exhibit. I tell you 
this so that you can participate in this if you want to; and if you don’t want to, 
you should not be at your office on May 8th. I feel that probably a better 
use of the day would be a survey of the natural resources at the Island. 
Should you drop in at your office Saturday, I will have a brief statement 
of the general plans on your desk to help you make your decision. I judge, 
however, from your correspondence that you will not show up before Monday. 
Hilda is trying to make arrangements for the meeting of the Executive 
Committee, which will suit your rather full calendar. I think this is going to be 
a difficult matter unless it is delayed 2 or 3 weeks after your return, for Mr. 
Fleming is apparently going to be in and out of town and tied up with numerous 
cnnferences. I have not seen Vannevar Bush lately to see how his workload lies 
or even to see if he is in town; but I think Mr. Cannon will also be very busy 
at that time because his large program seems to be stuttering. I would not be 
surprised if some of the appropriation bills would be delayed until near the 
beginning of the fiscal year. 
The top-flight pay raise bill seems to be in hot water again. The Senate 
Civil Service Committee seems to be rowing with the White House over the inclusion 
in this bill of promotions for everyone. I am beginning to believe that if the 
top-flight bill passes, it will be sometime after mid-year, since there are smme 
very urgent matters up including the Taft Hartley Act, North Atlantic Pact, the 
Point Four Cooperation Program, and others on which both the House and Senate 
will proceed with some deliberation. Unless a miracle happens, Congress may be 
in session over most of the summer. 
I have tried to keep those items of your work which come to my attention 
fairly well cleared up. I think about the only one on which you will have to 
spend some time is the one that relates to the Merriam matter. 
Very sincerely yours, 
