Letter to Kempton Taylor

              instruction, I can be of material benefit to the Navy in this work. I earnestly hope that the Department will see the advantages to be gained from this splendid offer of Mr. Taylor and that it will approve the leave which I request.

8. I should like to begin this work as soon as possible, but owing to family conditions it will be necessary for me to defer until March 10, 1911. It is, however, necessary for me to obtain the decision of the Department at an early date, in order that I may notify Mr. Taylor, and that the necessary arrangements may be made. I therefore earnestly request an early decision.

9. I further request that a short time previous to granting the leave requested, I be ordered to the Navy Department, Washington, D.C., for special temporary duty in connection with shop methods and management, in order that I may confer with the Department officials regarding this subject. Furthermore, I have been on duty on the Pacific Coast for six years, and wish to be ordered to the East Coast, where my home is situated, before I am granted leave.