1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

It is pointed out by Mr. Hill that it should never be allowed to hap@ pen that Deke should be the senior member in charge here at Curium. There= fore it is absolutely necessary that he either be here while Roger or John Young is here and in charge (Mr. Hill thinks Virginia Grace e.g. could not control him) or when no juniors are here = i.e., by himself, whenever he saw fit to come. These are Hill's comments, not mine; but I agree to the first. As to the second, I have no feelings, although Megaw made mildly dissenting noises. But I do not think he would make an issue of it.

It would be utterly unsporting if not immoral for anybody else to work on the same material at the same time (i.e., on Deke's bought time), as well as impossible if Deke kept, as would be agreed, all the records. It might well be therefore that we would have to open up the whole busi= ness again after two years and find and send out another person to do the work all over again. In view of this we would have to protect ourselves by putting aside $ 10,000 of Deke's $ 15,000 to cover such a contingency. Dean Eisenhart referred to our consideration in the event of acceptance the condition of the original grant, that we dig also in the basilica and the city gate. Megaw said this afternoon rather baldly that he considered the basilica at least an obligation. In view of both of these, I do not see how we could avoid using the extra $ 5000 for this purpose. But it should be used now this year under the supervision of Roger, the digging being done by Oberlin or Benson; I see no obligation to refer the matter in any way to Deke. And whoever undertakes it should assume the responsibility for publication. I think the city gate could be investigated quickly and inexpensively; as to the basilica, I would not venture a guess. [Mr. Hill thinks the basilica itself not difficult, but because "treasury Curium" appears to come from caves underneath The staff consists of following: 1 Christo - minder ex-2 foreman: [employee of expedition] 2 Mihali - gardener - employee of G.H. McF 3 Savvi - cook - employee of expedition & of G.H. McF 4 Christophi - dragsman for expedition, printer secretary for G.H. McF 5 Neofytos - houseboy & changes The last is dispensible, as new employee. The first is indispensable. The second is indispensible, probably until the antiquities service takes over, certainly until horses & dogs are disposed of. The third can be alternatively employed as a squad guard. The fourth will be absolutely indispensable when work begins again. Mr. Hill proposes, if our plan is accepted, to keep on the first 4 through the summer. This seems to be necessary. Will cost the expedition about $600 until September. Will try to work out a combination by which #4 can be useful at Kordion in drafting etc. Ogden Cot has left for Hyderabad. We would not a tentative project if our plan is accepted and put into effect.