Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1323

Carbon of a letter from Heath to C. L. Huskins, Department of Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

January 11, 1941

 

Original is missing.

Dear Doctor Huskins:

I cannot tell you how much I was disappointed at not being able to meet you and Dr. Palmquist in Phila­delphia at the end of December, as I had looked forward to doing. I spent most of the Christmas week laid up with influenza and under a physician’s care. By the end of the week, however, I was released to go to New York for a few days during which time I expected to make a side trip to Philadelphia or a return trip to my home by way of that city. However, in New York I was confined to my room by a mild relapse or a return of the disorder and, therefore, unable to get down to Philadelphia, as I expected. I was sorry I did not know your address or any convenient way to reach you by telephone or telegraph, or I surely would have done so.

There must have been very many interesting things going on in Philadelphia, and I certainly would like to have heard the contributions offered by you and Dr. Palm­quist. I think I have done sufficient reading in genetics and related sciences to have an intelligent interest and comprehension. If there happen to be available any copies of the papers you contributed, I would be very happy to have an opportunity of reading them. I would also like to be advised of any other matter of yours which you regard as having important social significance.

I was certainly glad of the opportunity to have my “Energy Concept of Population” taken up for consideration by the faculty organization over which you preside. I have regretted that I did not have it in printed form for distribution at the meeting which you so kindly ar­ranged. I mention this because I am eager to get the reaction of competent minds to this Energy Concept as a work­ing basis for an effective method of social analysis and for the bringing of social phenomena under the same quantitative methods and disciplines that have proved fruitful in all of the natural fields. I think you sug­gested the possibility of making some report to me as to how my energy proposition was regarded in subsequent discussions together with a list of those who were present. I hope you will find it entirely convenient to let me hear from you along these lines.

It was certainly a great pleasure to have your acquaintance and the many hospitalities of your office and home. Please remember me kindly to Mrs. Huskins and the other interesting members of your household. Kindly convey also to Dr. Palmquist my best compliments and my regret at not being able to see him in Philadelphia or to hear his paper on “Improved Methods of Laboratory Instruction.”

    

     With best personal regards, I am,

 

Very sincerely,

 

                                

                                 Spencer Heath

SH:ML

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