L 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY 
NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS 
FREER GALLERY OF ART 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SERVICE 
CANAL ZONE BIOLOGICAL AREA 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
March 23, 1948 
Dear Dr. Wetmore 
I believe I told you several letters ago that Jack Myers had definitely 
turned us down as a leader for Radiation and Organisms. I will admit this was 
a pretty heavy blow to me as I know Jack pretty well and felt that he had the 
qualifications to push the job through. Mr. Aldrich has been doing considerable 
scouting around, and he finally had an extended talk with Dr. Lambert, Head 
of Agricultural Research here in the Department. Dr. Lambert recommended 
four or five people as possibilities, but he placed Dr. Robert 33. Withrow at 
the head of his list. Possibly you remember Withrow as the man whom Dr. 
Johnston tried to get iaa to take McAlister's place; and the whole proposition 
finally fell through on account of uncertainty of funds. I only met Withrow 
and since his work is far out of my line, I could not qualify as an expert 
witness regarding him; but he looked like a very quiet, serious-minded fellow. 
Mrs. Withrow is also well-trained in the same work and has a PhD. 
Mr. Aldrich has contacted some of the men he gave as references and has 
received letters from two of them, Dr. G. N. Hoffer, Manager, Midwest Office, 
American Potash Institute, Inc.; and Dr. Freeman S. Howlett, Chief of the 
Department of Horticulture, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio. 
Hoffer says of him: "I have regarded him as an excellent research organizer 
and he surely has carried forward the studies on the effects of radiation on 
various organisms in a good manner. In ordef to develop the equipment and 
techniques which he has used, he has demonstrated an unusual imagination and 
breadth of vision. Had he not been able to do this much of the equipment at 
Purdue would never havebeen possible, ** * * * With regard to getting along 
with his fellow workers, I think everyone has a deep respect for his ability. 
He has been very cooperative * * * * * *. He has been a hard worker, knowing 
no time limits *■****." 
Howlett says: "As far as I know, he would be competent to organize 
and plan fundamental research on the effect of radiation on organisms. This, 
presumably, is his primary interest. He does have vision and imagination 
necessary to develop new ideas and methods. * * * * He has always indicated 
to me that he is more interested in theoretical consideration of plant science 
than he is in any practical aspect." 
You will note from this that both men give him very good recommendations 
in exactly the line in which we are interested. 
without contact with 
am rather hesitant to urge Mr. Aldrich 
I believe it would be best to have 
to go further 
