(To Dr. L. F. Barker)
1, W. Franklin St.
Wednesday [April 5]
Dear Barker
I have not had a moment free since yesterday morning to send you a line of congratulation. Everyone here is much pleased, & I think the way the announcement has been made has softened the disappointment to Thayer. You will get a very hearty welcome from Faculty & students, & you have so many friends in the profession here that it will be like coming home. I hope you will be able to come on before I leave as are many things talk over & arrange. The work of the clinic has grown enormously & the teaching has increased to a serious degree--the classes being larger this year than we have ever had & next year the awards will be crowded. The private work, so important for the hospital also grows & takes much time of the 1st & 2nd assistant. In a way it is a burden but it is most essential to foster for the income it brings to the Hospital. The heavy work of it must be thrown on the assistants--the chief cannot possibly do more than general direction. Of course Thayer, Futcher & McCrae make a very strong trio. I do hope Mac will stay--he is very strong as a teacher & full of sense. Futcher is a saint, you know him well. Cole the 1st assistant is a fine fellow. Emerson & Howard could not be better & Boggs who has the bacteriology is A. 1. The new clinic room & your new rooms--a private one & two private laboratories will be most convenient. Much remains in the way of organization for higher lines of work--& this you can do. I leave on 19th of May. If you could, couple of days before the Meeting at Washington it would be nice or when you can.
Yours ever
W. O.
Love to your family!