Letter 26

Dent Complains to Benjamin Quarles

about Christian's Progress on WPA Material

MEMORANDUM

To: Dr. Quarles

From: President Dent

Will you please let me know what progress Mr. Christian is making toward completing the manuscript covering the Dillard WPA study of THE NEGRO IN LOUISIANA and also what progress is being made in compiling a catalog of the material.

Only two months are left in the time allotted to Mr. Christian to complete both the catalog and the manuscript and I should like to know what progress is being made toward both these assignments on or before May 30.

I think it would be a mistake for Mr. Christian to let time slip by with the expectation of completing these at the last minute. The University has no funds which it can extend his stipend beyond May 31, and I think it would jeopardize Mr. Christian's interest with the Rosenwald Fund if this work is not completed within the allotted time. This last statement, of course, is based on the assumption that they will give him a fellowship. I have already told them that Mr. Christian will have completed a manuscript and that you and Dean Moses will have read it by May 31.

The last time I was in the attic, apparently no work had been started toward rearranging the library storeroom. It was my understanding that Mr. Christian would get this done rather promptly.

A.W. Dent 

DILLARD UNIVERSITY

Office of the President

April 1, 1943 

c.c. Dean Moses, Mr. Christian

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