1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

There are three separate projects for publication: 1) Apollo (George's work) 2) Bamboula (Pete's work) 3) Theater=palace (Deke's work)

We strongly urge the following course: That Roger come here on the closing of Gordion for the whole of next year, to assume general direction and to undertake one of the publication projects. It is necessary that someone of experience be here and be in charge, if we are going to have other and more innocent people also working here. He has experience in administering a dig; he is (or could be) interested in Cypriote antiquities; and he could represent also the Museum in such winding-up projects as making a division of finds with the Cyprus authorities. As I see it there are two objections: first, he is already overburdened with publication projects; and second, some sort of substitute would have to be found (and paid for) for the teaching work in Philadelphia for the fall term at least. The first objection is one for him to decide; but if he made it a definite short-term one year project and concentrated on it I think it could be done, and the other projects now under way could be deferred (probably with bitter complaints from Broneer). As to the second, he could be put on half pay by the museum, the half he kept being supplemented from Curium funds in a mixture of such proportions of cash and free board and lodging as may seem fair to both parties. The other half of his pay might be applied to a substitute for the work in Philadelphia. It might have to be augmented. But perhaps the substitute need be only for one term, as I expect to be there in the spring term. If I have to go to Afghanistan again in the spring, then the substitute for me could come out of the Afghanistan fund; in part atleast. If all this is approved, it leaves you and Roger holding the bag to find a proper substitute for the fall, or for the fall and spring.

That Benson come as planned, to undertake a second of the publication projects.

That Deke or a third person be found for the third. (On Deke, see below. If not Deke, that Virginia Grace be approached.

That both the Oberlins come here if they are willing to do so; she to clean up the really dreadful mess we have found in the inventory, which must be cleaned up before we can turn over to the antiquities department, or for that matter before Apollo at least can be published, he to undertake under Roger's supervision such other excavation (e.g., the mosaic project) as is to be done. She is under the supervision of Ellen at Gordion, and Ellen is much pleased with her; by September she will be usefully trained to go on on her own.

Alternatively, that the John Youngs, if available and willing, come, he to be in place of Roger, she of Beverley Oberlin. They have applied for a Fulbright for Italy, which implies that they can get leave of absence from Johns Hopkins. If they do not get the Fulbright they might be available for Curium; but they would have to have a plump stipend.

With regard to Deke there are the following considerations: The death of George has removed the almost insurmountable practical objection to his return to Curium. Mr. Hill points out that miracles can and have happened, and that there is no necessity for me to be so absolutely sure that he cannot produce. I am not convinced that I entirely agree to this point of view, but I would go along with it on one condition: that if after two years a paper is produced, I should not be asked to judge its merits or have anything to do with it. Under this condition I would say go ahead and accept if it still seems desirable to you to do so.

By way of comment on this I add: