oe Root Cee ce dae bree ee 6 De Che (A Se tary
4 pow. . Ac Cae eed Ve wae eee \< te .A ) ub WAR A. 4 oh Wisse neta

Ax dats | bey SB, 7° 6 er baaaees |

a

 

~

 

Dear Edwards:

ey

I was both pleased and surprised about the Western Reserve
business. After thinking it over a bit I contactad Prof. Peterson and
Dr, Meex—-confidentially, of course. Two or three points arose asa |
‘consequence of these confsrences, and my- own cogitation. | Ey

   
 

One. ‘What is the status of Prof. Victor Myers who has hald —~
the post for many years and just recently has been sivan arother? If
Yyers and his friends hold a grievance, then it might be very uncomfort-
able for his successor on account of undue criticis=: end bad feelings.

I have written to my good friend ir. Welch and requested his opinion
relative te this delicate problem. I hava krown Dr. Myers for many
years——even before he went to Iowa, from whence he went to Weatern Nes-
erve. My contacts with him (at the Meetings only) have bean very
pleasant. Scientifically, I've always considered him to bs very sub-
stantial but not 4 top-flight man. I could warn you that unless he
feels kindly disposed towards his successor, it could be quits a source
of asnoyance. If, however, he has obtained a better joo, or ons that na
clearly preferred, then that would not be a sore spot.

Two. The position is in ths Medical School and the Docs and
students expect the professor of biochemistry to be of help to them;
otcerwise the Senool would hardly support a biochemistry department.
Peterson said as much with respsct to his own work here. He is in the
Ag. School and, es such, he has to cuter a bit to his audience, namely,
agricultural interests, at least to make the 4g. interests feel reason
ably well satisfied.

St Reserve, Emeritus Professor Solimann and Arnold Welch,
his successor, ara both good friends of mina. I know Dr. wigsers
fairly well but not as ifelch and Sollminn. iggers 13 a non-diplomatic,
outspoken fellow, but Dr. Meek says that in all his experience, he, Meek,
has never seen any indication of Wigzers holding any grudges. He may -
rant and differ vociferously and bluntly, but when he finds he himself .
is wrong he is man enough to take it and edmit it. I kmew Hoerr when = ..
he was a youngster in Bensley's deoartment of anatomy at Chicago. I ATER
always thought well of him. His wife is, I believe, Bensley's daughter, —-
but I'm not too sure at the moment. Bensley is one of my good frienda. .

Three.. As I have probably stated before, an academic orphan
is in & bad spot. . Your present chief is undoudtedly a botanist. Should
you have graduate students sho want a higher degree in biochemistry, they
would hardly want a degree in botany! If you had a chief in microbiology,
and in an independent department, things at Yale would be more salubrious. -
You can bet on human character to the extent that a botanist could scarcely
take the same interest in microbiology (biochemistry, in other words, in
your case) ag would a chief in "microbiology." This may be, theoretically,
narrow thinking, but after all, I have had occasions in the years gone by.
ae

to see the wheels go ‘round. | - ae

Another point about Yale is that it is an Eastern school, an a

endowed institution, managed officially by Eastern "blue-bloods" and
internally run by ambitious Eastern "ancestral bons-rattlers." I think
these features have been the cause of such mediocrity as has for long.

existed in the Medical School. Chittenden was in the saddle for a long

time. He was succeeded by Mendel, who had fought Chittenden, and hence
the Mendel crowd spat on the former Chittenden group. A happy family!
Chemistry at Yale is also week. Yandell Henderson and his man Friday,
L.e., Haggard, made & prolific but unsound pair. Be :

So. you have my views on both places. Your former pal, Beadle, a

has gone as head of a desartment to Calif. Tech., fulfilling your pre~
dictions of impending changes... Could it be possible that Eeadle would
try to get you back in California?

The all important point, as you kmow I would emphasize, ia
what are the facilities for research. Salary ard rank should sooner or
later take care of themselves, providing research productivity continues
and some diplomatic acumen exists. Come people, you know, get places
by pure politica; others use politics along with efficiency, and occa~
sionally a good producer is of suca e rotten personality as to consti-
tute'a serious impediment.

When I hear from Welch I'1) let you know his opinion of the
Myers* complication. As to your cecoming a teacher and cdilleague of
medicos, you will heve to set your own sails.

It 1a quite a flattering offer, and I continue to shine by
reflected glory.

Love,

a

‘P.S. If you have ambitions to become a member of tha National Academy |
your chances would be better at Yala than at Claveland.. As you
know, people East of tha Alleghsnies are the alita.

.