to Mr. Walcott 
Draft of a Letter/explaining conditions in the Field Columbian 
Mus eum: 
January 28, 1897 
Dear Sir: 
I have your letter of January 28 and hasten to say that 
I appreciate in the fullest manner the generous feelings that 
have inspired it. It is true ae I have from time to time ex- 
pressed dissatisfaction with the conditions under which I have 
labored here in Chicago, and perhaps I had better begin by 
giving you in the briefest possible manner an idea of the 
nature of these conditions. | 
From the day of my arrival here, three years ago, there 
has been cause for discontent, and the conditions have recently 
become so aggravated that the entire scientific staff of the 
Museum has risen in rebellion: In this most unpleasant matter 
I had to take the initiative, and may be regarded as ina sense 
responsible for the results, and although the outcome has not 
quite realized our hopes, much ground has been gained and the 
way seems open for further improvement. The trouble developed . 
out of the Chicago jhon that only a business man, and a business 
man only, can aonduct the business of an institution -- museum 
or otherwise -- which would have been well enough had the man 
chosen as director been qualified for the work. .fhe director 
appointed did well enough in getting togetter and installing 
the vast exhibits brought together at the close of the World's 
Fair, but when we came to settle down to scientific methods and 
ay 
