UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY 
NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
April 18, 1949 
Dr. Alexander We t mor e 
Drawer C 
Balboa, Canal Zone 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
This morning I received a letter from Jim indicating that you would he in the 
Zone about the 24th. His letter was very brief but I think that his financial 
worries have disappeared. However, I hope you will go over the whole thing with 
him to be sure there is agreement as to his financial condition so that the lid 
will not blow off after your return. 
Frank Roberts informs me that the Stirlings are sailing on the 28th so I 
assume that you will see them in the Zone. 
Enclosed is a copy of letter from Nichols and Staats, bringing up the question 
that I felt would be thrown in our laps sooner or later. Paragraph numbered "THIRD" 
to which they refer reads as follows: 
"THIRD: In the event of the death of disability of the said C. Hart Merriam 
to continue and direct such investigations and work, any unexpended balance remaining 
on hand at that time shall be used by the party of the first part in the preparation 
of such materials as may be on hand for permanent preservation or publication." 
Since we are planning to ship all of the material to California, it appears from 
this that the fund is entirely dead as far as we are concerned. If this assumption 
is true, there are apparently two ways in which the matter might be handled. 
First, we could direct them to expend such funds as might be necessary for 
preservation and publication within the limits of the amount available, and reimburse 
them for such vouchers as they might submit. Second, we might draw up an entirely 
new agreement with the University, transferring to them our responsibilities as 
well as the money, and clean out of this mess permanently. I am taking the matter 
up with Everett Smith so that by the time you return, we will have his recommenda¬ 
tions and you can then take such action as it appears best in the circumstances. 
Since this fund is apparently of no use to us, I would certainly prefer to get rid 
of all responsibility; but we will not only have to decide what we can do legally, 
but also we will have to find out from the University of California terms that 
would be acceptable to them. I think the item of transportation could very easily 
be paid out of this fund, since this is part of preservation. 
I am sending you miscellaneous other material which I think will be of interest. 
A meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee on Scientific Research and 
Development is called for the 22nd. The agenda includes: (l) A special report of 
the Subcommittee on Grants and Research Contracts proposing a policy for our 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
\\cfskin<y?o7i 25, D. C. 
‘ USA. 
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS 
FREER GALLERY OF ART 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SERVICE 
CANAL ZONE BIOLOGICAL AREA 
