436 DOCS.
427,
428
JANUARY
1918
Schumann,
who
was
previously
employed
at
the
Geod. Inst.
and
is
now
instruc-
tor
of
geodesy
at
the
Polytechnic
in
Vienna,
would also have to be
mentioned.[6]
Through
a
series of
more
extensive calculations for
the Internat.
Geodetic
and
smaller
geodetic researches,
he
has
demonstrated that
he has
a
good
command of
geodesy.
He is
known
mainly
for his
discussion
of
the
observations of
fluctuations
by
the Earth’s
axis,
in which
he
developed
new
ideas.[7]
Although
these ideas
have not met
with
general acceptance
and must
certainly
be
characterized
as
misguided,
they
nevertheless served
as a
stimulus and show
that
he does address
problems,
which
cannot
be said of
some
candidates for Helmert’s
post.[8]
He is
inferior to Wiechert insofar
as
he lacks
scope
in
the
area
of
theory.
His achievements in
investigating
sources
of
error
in measurements of
gravi-
tation
by means
of pendula
must also be mentioned.
With
cordial
regards, your very truly,
Schweydar.
428. To
Michele
Besso
[Berlin,] 5
January 1918
Dear
Michele,
I
thank
you
heartily
for
both
your
letters
and
am
glad
that
your
new occu-
pation is taking
on a
permanent
nature.[1] Ever since
taking
to
bed,
I
feel
quite
well.[2]
[I
have
a
gastric
ulcer
at
the
pylorus or
duodenum. No
blood
at
bowel
movement,
no
growths (X-ray exposure).
Sensitivity
toward
shaking.
Stomach
acid.]
The
local
sensitivity
has
disappeared,[3]
and
I
also look
well.
I
am
going
to rest
in
bed
for
another
4
weeks
or
longer,
which
is
also
particularly
desirable
because of
the
poor
heating.[4]
For
now,
I
don’t
plan
to
travel
to
Switzerland
this
year,
possibly
never.
My longterm
care
is
provided
for,
in
fact, exactly according
to doctor’s orders.
It does not
concern
me
that
Zangger
is
sending me a
large
bill. I
don’t have
the
power
to
remove
Tete from
Arosa,[5]
but
apart
from
what
my
wife
can
reasonably
claim, I
shall send
Fr
6,000 annually,
no
more.[6]
Last
year
I
sent
12,000
M
to
Zurich. I
shall
give
to
Zangger
what
he
spent
on
my
behalf
last
year.
But
I
refuse
to tolerate
constantly
being
used
like
a
gullible schoolboy.
I
have
no
intention
of
opening an
account in Zurich
over
which
I
would
grant you
both
access;
it
would
probably
not be
possible, even
if I
wanted to do
so.[7]
We
are
faced here
with
a
vicious circle unless I
put
an
abrupt
end
to
it. This
I
am
doing,
though,
here
and
now,
and
no one
can
persuade
me
otherwise.-
Scientifically
I
am
just
working
on
minor
things
currently.
For
it, I
am
study-
ing
and
reading copiously,
which
is
no
small achievement either. The K. W.
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