January 16, 1939. 
Mr, M, I# Stirling, 
Hidalgo 55, 
Tlacotalpan, 
Vera Cruz, Mexico, 
Dear Mr, Stirling: 
Yours of January 6 case duly to hand and brings good newa of 
you and of your work with the way fully outlined for me* 1 am now 
more enthusiastic than ever in the possibilities of getting down. 
So far the chance seems clear but you know how uncertain things are 
in an administrative way with Congress in session. 
How a few questions on which I should like infoxmticn to guide 
m» With regal'd to outfit - most of ay collecting outfit is readily 
portable on mules. To care properly for specimens 1 us© a chest 30 
inches long by 18 inches wide by 14 inches high fitted with trays. 
This is not heavy' but is a little long. Do you think there would be 
any difficulty in getting it to Tree Zapotea? I have & shorter on© 
that I could bring but prefer the other if practicable. 
Also 1 suppose that Fisher and I should bring folding canvas 
cots and a bedroll, I presume that it is not particularly cold at 
night. If you have any other suggestions as to outfit let me know. 
The ground is covered with snow at the present moment and more has 
been falling this morning, 
I was over last night for supn.er at Graf’s and had the 
pleasure of getting stuck on a patch of ice in front of his house 
in trying to turn around so that John had to come out with a bucket of 
sand to get m going. He seamed quite expert in this and I presume 
that he has had similar experiences before. 
Work is going on as usual here. Our appropriation bill has 
not yet been reported in the House, Woodrum sent down the oilier day 
for some additional information regarding promotions that we had mads, 
or rather have not made in recent years. The annual Regents meeting 
is now over with good attendance and more interest than the average in 
our exhibits. Last week I spent two and a half days on meetings and 
conferences concerned with the proposed Smithsonian Gallery of Art for 
which plans are to be drawn this spring. In consequence I feel fully 
satisfied with modern art at the present thus and am glad to come back 
to other things. 
