Letters Received to H.H. Barker, September 15, 1930

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLUMBIA September 15, 1930 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY SEP 17 1930 Mr. H. H. Barker U. S. Radium Corporation 535 Pearl Street New York, New York My dear Barker: The very definite negative character of the gamma ray tests on Mrs. Metz by the last examination makes it very probable that the expired air test would have been negative too; but the first examination in 1929 gave a value of 1.3 Mg for the gamma ray test, a value I consider within the limits of error of the Wulf-Hess instrument. Likewise the expired air test was positive, 1.5 ug and we reported 2 to 3,48 total activity. Such result's open a suspicion of radiodCtivity but the reported value I consider within the limit of error of the instruments under the experimental conditions which obtained at the time we made the test in February, 1929. Upon careful reflection, here is my conclusion: It seems to me there is too much at stake to g° on record with a statement that Mrs. Metz is not active', or the test was negative', or she is not a radium case, or some other phrase of this kind. For if it should turn out that Mrs. Metz by ex- pired air test shows even slight activity, then all tests for radioactivity on other subjects which I have made would be questioned. Or, let us assume another possibility, namely, that it leaked out that the expired air tests made this summer were of no value, then our testimony would be worthless and perhaps damaging to not only this case, but all others. I am therefore hoping that some plan can be devised which will eliminate all doubt, and keep us all ab- solutely on the high road of safety. I am writing to Dr. Flinn today to get his suggestion as to what we can do to rectify the blunder we have made. The blame for the thing rests largely on me. I shall write Smith and Markley that the part of our report dealing with Mrs. Metz can not be con- sidered final. Sincerely yours, Herman Schlength Herman Schlundt H: S : AS