Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

sam thing to Dr. Weyl, plagued as he vas by indecision and problems.
And at the same time k alluded to relations w ith the Department of
Mathematics, saying:
1 wrote Eisenhart a letter swnrfng up the situation it
now looks to me, but my mind is quite open, and it may be
that I shzll see things differently in the eonxse of time.
Don't be i-tient with the slowness vfth which I seem to
move. I can decide things if 1 have to, but in this new
venture arid in dealing with sub'ects with which 1 am m-
familiar, I am a slow learner. 53
Clearly Professor Yeblen contemplated tcking snothes professor from the
Departrrent of Matkmtics, and Flexner was resisting the id-. The Dean
was well aware of the dangers fn Veblen's thinking and probable course
of action, which were only mgnffied by the Dfrectos's failure to under-
stsnd the true nature of the problem. He wrote Flexner:
I agree with you that the relationship of the Institute and
our Depart-nt of Mathemtics must be thought of as a matter
of policy extending over the years. Accordingly I am of the
opinion tht zny of its menbers should be considered for ape
pointmnt to tkie Institute on his merits alone and not with
reference to whether for the time being his possible with-
drawal from the Department would give the impression that
such withdrawal would weaken the Department. For if this were
not the policy, we should be at a disadvantage fn recruiting
our personnel from tiw to time. If our trustees and 81-i
were disturbed by such a withdrawal, zs you suggest, they
should meet it by giving us at least as full opportunity So
make replacements intended to tnsintain our distinction. The
only disadvantage to us of such withdreval would arise kf we
were hzmpexed in any way in continuing the policy which has
brought us to the position we now occupy, This policy bas
been to vareh the field carefully and txy out men af prmise
at every possible opportunity, If It is to be t k policy of
the Institute to have young wn here on temporary appointment,
this would enable us to be fn a much better position za ugtch
the field.
In my opfnfon the ideas here set forth are so important for
the future of our Department tbt it is q intention to pre-
sent thm to the Curriculum Cormittee of our Board of Trustees
at its meeting next month, after I have had an opportunity to
discuss them further with you next veekS5G