323 merged with 324 Mendel Farm Lake View, N.Y. July 22, 1922. My dear Dr. Laughlin: As today is, I believe, the centenary of the birth of our "Saint" Gregor, I feel like sending a word to you, to Drs. Davenport, Little - indeed to everyone of the earnest workers at Cold Spring Harbor. My congratulations to you all on the magnificent results of your quiet, persistent efforts. Not least among them is the formation of the Eugenics Society. I have just sent to Dr. Crampton my acceptance of the invitation to become one of the members. If our good Father Mendel is still counting peas grown in the celestial garden he probably takes time on this aniversary[sic], to lean over the golden bars, ad as he rubs his glasses to look down on what is being done at Cold Spring Harbor and several other institutions like it, his mouth must stretch into a very broad grin when he thinks how little attention was paid to him on earth and what a big man he is now. Even here in the Woolly West as one of his humble followers, I am trying to find whether Guyer's blind rabbits can still see enough to follow Mendel's law as they should - if they had a becoming sense of propriety. But quite apart from this anniversary[sic], I have been intending to ask you a couple of question: First, Have you heard anything from our friends connected to the Law Department of Columbia, as to what progress they have made in their attempt to formulate that law for a prevention of hereditary blindness? If you have not and there is any possible way of reaching them through Dr. Crampton or others whom you know there, will you do so? When members of a committee are supposed to be resting that is the time to get the work out of them. After September, everyone is "too busy". Second, can you suggest any appeal which could be made to the State Board of Health so as to induce them to set one or two of their field workers to hunting up other defective members of certain families whose names appear so frequently among the pupils of schools for the blind. The vacation season would seem the best time for that sort of work also. Again my dear colleague with remembrances to Mrs. Laughlin and best wishes always, Sincerely yours, [signed] Lucien Howe