D O C . 1 2 0 O C T O B E R 1 9 1 9 1 0 3 Today I have to return to the question of my employment in Potsdam, since I un- derstand from a conversation that I had today with one of the senior men at the in- stitute that the view I had expressed in my last letter was apparently not accurate. There is an observer’s position to be filled in Potsdam, and this is supposed to hap- pen now. As I have gathered, the question of giving this position to me has been posed, and to all appearances, Müller would like to offer the position to me,[2] but I don’t know yet whether I feel like tying myself permanently to the institute. Sure- ly a solution amenable to both sides could easily be found here. I gained the im- pression that not only Müller but the other gentlemen at the institute also would like to see me join the same as an associate. Even the ministry would, I believe, wel- come this solution. I would, however, like to be assured of my complete indepen- dence, from the scientific point of view. This could, I think, be easily achieved if the K.W. Institute of Phys. Research continued to assume protectorship over my current research—I believe Müller too would like to see that—if I could continue to receive the little budget of 50 marks per month for these researches and possibly a small subsidy from your institute, so that I could remain, as it were, a “member” of your institute.[3] I would be grateful if you would soon speak with Müller about this matter. But please conduct the discussions as you would have conducted them if you had not known that Müller apparently would look favorably upon this solution. This possi- bility was indicated to me today in strict confidence. I would be very willing to accept an observer’s position if I knew for certain that I can work and progress un- hindered. In Ludwigshafen I spoke with Prof. Bosch and viewed the spectral oven with Dr. Hochheim.[4] It has come so far that perhaps the first experiments can be done in M[oos]burg after Christmas. So, until we meet at the beginning of next week. I hope we finally manage to solve my problems to the satisfaction of us all, yours, E. Freundlich. 120. From Rudolf Lindemann[1] Berlin W.35, 7 Magdeburger St., 4 October 1919 Esteemed Professor, With the following lines we appeal to your artistic conscience! We young students of both sexes most emphatically beg your counsel and your help, which will become our guide for a new association!
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