UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY 
NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
SMITH S OK IAN INSTITUTION 
WasMnj/toii 25,Z).C. 
US.A. 
March 8, 194 9 
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS 
FREER GALLERY OF ART 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SERVICE 
CANAL ZONE BIOLOGICAL AREA 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore 
Drawer C 
Balboa, Canal Zone 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
I am enclosing a few clippings and other information relating to the top 
service pay bill which might interest you. 
Yesterday we had a request from the State Department to receive a collection 
of fossils transmitted by the Embassy in Argentina and send them on to the American 
Museum. It seemed like a peculiar request and I wondered what might be back of it. 
Dr. Kellogg has pried into the subject and he is convinced that there is a rule 
against the exportation of such material from Argentina, and that the retired 
Argentine scientist whom the American Museum has hired to collect fossils might 
be using this method of getting the fossils out of the country. While I realize 
that we go to considerable trouble to help others enlarge their collections, 
I would prefer to avoid being tied in on any shady deal. I feel that our inter¬ 
national standing should not be jeopardized by any transactions which are not 
strictly above board. We would not do it for ourselves and I certainly would not 
want to do it for any one else. 
Dr. Kellogg telephoned the Embassy and asked them to ascertain whether there 
was not such a ruling against the exportation of fossils before we would give any 
decision as to our probable action. As soon as we hear from them, then we will 
be able to make a final decision; but in the meantime we are promising nothing. 
I had the letter from Jim this morning, indicating that he wants 200 or 300 
of the aluminum driers. 
7 
✓ 
f r 
JUS '• '■ ■' 
9 
