ADDRESS ONLY THE DIRECTOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON D. c. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON JUL 28 1927 Mr. Gist Blair, Union Trust Building, Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Blair: A situation has arisen recently that makes it impossible, for reasons beyond my control, for the present to carry out without some delay, the arrangement suggested in your letter of March 26, 1927, and Secretary Work's letter to you of May 6. We had all agreed that such an arrangement held promise of the best possible results in arriving at a solution of some of the difficulties confronting us in connection with a Lafayette road program. Our chief landscape engineer desired to resign in the spring, but because of his having visited Lafayette Park twice before and knowing the situation probably better than any of our other men, we placed him on furlough with the definite understanding with him that he was to go to Lafayette on July 16 for this work. He fully agreed to this, and there was no misunderstanding whatsoever. Much to my surprise, when I wired him to report as agreed, he wired back after some quibbling, that he had some private work which would make it impossible for him to go at that time. As I was unable to get him to come, I tried to arrange for the middle of August for this work, but again I received no definite answer. I then wired him that he either report as agreed or tender his resignation at once. This resignation was received and has been laid before the Department for acceptance. It was with considerable restraint that I refrained from having him dismissed. I am now endeavoring to get his successor to come east for this work at the earliest possible opportunity, but as he is snowed under with important problems that have kept him skipping from one park to the other, and will continue to do so for some weeks ahead, I am not clear at this moment what arrangement I can make. I acquainted Mr. Eliot with some of these details before he left for Lafayette, and would have wired you, but I felt that a letter would give you the facts in greater detail than I could by telegram,- and you should have these. I am exceedingly sorry about this delay. Sincerely yours Acting Director.