Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

attitude on the acceptability of Marschak as the first econon;ist at the
Institute:
As matters now stand, I gather that Plexner does not intend.
prior to a general discussion either with the Board or the
Executive Cmittee, to go further with the Kzrschhk propo-
sal than to mke a confidentizl inquiry of the Warden of All
Souls. Since we vill have this opportunity for an exchange
of views, I am not now inclined to coment on the various
issues arising out of the correspondence. While I take my
responsibilities es Trustee seriously, as a correspondent
I rate myself very low. I have for years enjoyed a bad
reputation as a letter writer and I am sure you will not take
it as a lack of interest in the issues you raise, that I should
prefer to discuss them orally rather than by sn exchange of
letters.
Dr. Aydelotte, sorroved by the illness and death of his mother, attempted
to defend and uphold Flexner, but in doing so offended him by referring
to his responsibilities and privileges as being "administrative," a
characterization vhich the Director rejected. But gratitude for the
support soon won over his pique. 50
Meanwhile a happy circumstance had rendered moot the Harschak
matter. Tward the end of October Dr. Plexner learned that Dr. Winfield
Riefler was considering giving up his positions in W~shington and prompt-
ly met him, while Mr. Stewzrt arranged a conference in New York at which
the possibility of Riefler's corning to the Institute was discussed. &
a result. Riefler prepared a brief outline of the kind of study he
thought it worthwhile to undertake at the Institute, sending copies to
both El-r and his former teacher. Briefly, he rrentioned the confusion
vhich prevailed in the field; the total lack of any
central core of accepted verifiable generalizations, such
as are found in other major disciplines. There is no unity
in the various subdivisions of intensive specizlization, nor
is there a cmon body of logic to serve as intellectual
tools in the developnt of new hypotheses on the frontiers
of advanced study. As a result there is confusion in ac-
credited professional economic judgrent on almost any major