X-LU-f 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
ALL CORRESPONDENCE 
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED 
TO THE SECRETARY 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
Washington, HS.A. 
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS 
FREER GALLERY OF ART 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES 
DIVISION OF RADIATION AND 
ORGANISMS 
February 18, 1948. 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore, 
Tivoli Hotel, 
Balboa, Canal Zone. 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
The Executive Order, signed February fourteenth, 
designating you as Chairman of the Interdepartmental Committee 
on Scientific Research and Development, together with a copy of 
the press release of February 14, was sent to you yesterday by 
Mr. Matthew J. Connelly, Secretary to the President. May I add 
my congratulations on this new honor to those that have been sent 
to you by radio from the staff today, and also those of your other 
host of friends. 
A newspaper clipping taken from Tuesday’s “Evening 
Star” (February 17) is enclosed herewith, which presumably was 
written by Mr. Fawcett. Mr. Clyde Fisher has also sent one from 
the “New York Times”, and a letter from Alfred Metraux states 
“I want to be one of the first to congratulate you on this very im¬ 
portant assignment to which you have been designated by Mr. Truman. 
It is a matter of great pride for those who are, and were, like myself, 
on the Smithsonian staff to see their Chief elevated to such a high 
function.” 
I am enclosing also a clipping from the “Times Herald” 
re the Mystery Blast that wrecked a basement storage room in the 
Social Science Building of George Washington University, which I 
know will interest you. Also a clipping of the ice jam in the Potomac 
which you and Ferrygo might consult when the thermometer in Panama 
climbs to the steamy stage. However, just as you predicted the past 
two days have been unusually mild, and the sun has been shining 
brightly. 
The reporters from most of the newspapers have telephoned 
today to advise us that they have had word from the Executors of the 
Wright estate that the “Kitty Hawk” plane was to be given to the 
Smithsonian. There will undoutedly be editorials on this in today’s 
paper. Mr. Kennedy of the “Evening Star” wanted to know if there 
