UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D. C.
A   SREPLY TO
CHIEF. BURE  F  IOLOGICAL SURVEY
AN R R TO
February 14, 1930.
Mr. Aldo Leopold,
421 Chemistry Building,
Madison, Wisconsin.
Dear Leopold:
Now that I have some inkling of your views on the contemplated
changes in Stoddard's plans, I should like to write to you on the subject.
The opportunity that has been offered to Stoddard seems so attractive to
him in every way that it seems everyone else concerned should cooperate
in making it possible for him to accept it. The scheme Stoddard outlined
for handling matters was talked over between he and I and represents
what I thought would be required to be fair to the Biological Survey.
As to others interested, I did not know whether you could speak for the
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute yourself or
whether you would want to refer the matter to the committee. The
question that should be settled definitely is whether the S.A.A.M.I.
desires to continue cooperation with the Biological Survey through a
successor to be chosen in consultation with Stoddard and trained by him
for as long a period as practicable or whether it wants Stoddard's
services regardless of any change in his status that may occur. I
think that it would be desirable to have the decision of the canmittee
on this point sent in writing to the Chief of the Biological Survey
so that we shall feel secure about plans for the future.
Among the points mentioned in your letter and which I have heard
of before is the danger of loading men with "Washington routine", I
believe that your fears of this bogey are largely unwarranted;so far as
this Division is concerned, I try to shoulder all possible routine
myself and give the men the chance to carry on their researches.
Stoddard has never been assigned anything in the way of routine except
the identification of a few gull wings. In practically every respect
he has made his own plans and put his time in on whatever in his judg-
ment seemed desirable.
Sincerely yours,
W. L. McAtee
In Charge
Food Habits Research.