- 2 - 
Mr. Howard is also out with a broken vertebra. It happens 
to be one right in the center of his back, and he has been suffering 
much pain. They put him in a cast today. The doctor thinks he 
may be able to come to work for a coip le of hours each. However, 
it is too soon to tell. It all happened while he was playing the good 
Samaritan. On his way to work a car stalled in front of him and the 
fellow asked him tog ive him a push. Mr. Howard pushed him to a 
garage and in making the turn in to the building the bumpers of the 
two cars locked. Both men got out to disengage them and Mr. Howard 
while pushing down on it in some way lost his balance and fell. He 
said he could hear his back snap but thought he had only sprained it. 
Mr. Lanham has been appointed for two days work on the 
Information Desk under the same stipulations that held with his 
predecessor. He was so pleased to get it. Miss Carpenter retires 
the first of March and also asked to be considered, 
Mr. Horn from the National Park Service was in this morning 
to see you. I told him that you were in Panama and asked Mr. Graf 
to talk to him. Dr. Keddy and Mr. Oliver were also present. Mr. 
Graf td,d me later that Dr. Abbot had written a letter to a Congressman 
(name of the Congressman not to be divulged at the present time) com¬ 
plaining about the roadway out here. You may remember that I told 
you that he was very much upset about the present arrangement? Mr. 
Graf told M r. Horn that the present arrangement had your approval 
and to tell the Congressman so. I don’t know whether or not Dr. Abbot 
discussed this with you personally but apparently he thought he wasn’t 
getting results and took the matter up elsewhere, with the result that 
a rather embarrassing situation has developed! Mr, Graf no doubt 
will write you in detail. 
You were certainly fortunate to get “the best house in town” 
and I suppose you are comfortably settled, to say nothing of having a 
nice collection of birds to boot! 
We had our first real winter weather the day before yesterday 
and the weather man promises a temperature of 18 tonight. It is too 
early to tell whether or not the shrubs have been harmed or not. So 
many people are out with this virus infection. Milton has been out 
sick with a cold for 8 days. I haven’t had a cold but I am having a 
little trouble with my arm. There is quite a bit of swelling but I don’t 
think it is anything serious. It’s about time for another check up! 
The enclosure may give you some amusement! 
Sincerely, 
