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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

                    Nov. 26, 1947

Miss Mary E. Ray ECAS Room 28, 90 Nassau Street Princeton, New Jersey

Dear Miss Ray:

I am sorry that I have not replied to your questions regarding my proposed tour---  I have been on the go left and right  and morning and night with speeches.   I wanted a reasonable breathing spell during which I could elaborate properly, and also, the continued invitations to speak have made me rethink a little... 

1.   I had in mind a tour in which the expenses would be paid by the ECAS, although if there ever were admission charge the money would go to the ECAS.   I did not stop to think about the amount--  I have little idea?   What does it cost for a guy to travel up and down for a year?   But for a moment let us turn to point 2 below, 

2.   The speeches in this area are continuing,  so why go elsewhere?   Well, I had thought that they would soon stop, but it doesn't look like it at present, though surely the time must come.  Still another thought was at least vaguely in my mind--- no, actually not vaguely -- with regard to why a tour might be considered even though there were speeches in demand here still--- 

3.   I wanted to sort of precipitate a large GOING-TO-THE-PEOPLE by a considerable number of scientists---in a more thorough way than is being done at present---but of course it would be merely a thing of my own which might serve as a testing project--- maybe it would take hold.  Who knows?  and are these the times to be timid and fearful of trying something all-out?  There was another reason why I thought that I might go about the country--- 

4.   The fact seems to be that the particular techniques I use are of some effect---I don't know how many letters you have received but I have received plenty-- hundreds and I never solicit them for myself;  I do solicit them for Prof. Einstein, as a symbol, of someone to turn to;  and also to give the people a chance to express themselves, so that they will not be tied up in their silent agony... Many letters to me say that my story ought to be told to every person in the country---Not that I know any more physics than the average mere College teacher, but perhaps because I take off my jacket and I go to town---all the way.  I pour it on, believe me, and I act it and show clicks with my hands, and Geiger counter responses, and radiations flying from my fingers, and the fission with my fingers spreading out into a V, and wiggles, the wiggles, the gamma rays coming at you with my hands, and the chain going trrrrrrrr whooosh over the top, million degree heat, million degree heat and the radioactive cloud click click click and the wind takes it and the rockets through space with my hands and the ineffectual radars... oh yes, all the way, and sweta like a horse , but they listen.  And