8 2 V O L U M E 8 , D O C U M E N T 3 3 2 a
Vater denkt, wie Sie gemerkt haben werden, ziemlich optimistisch über den Aus-
gang.[12]
A. hat mir ein Manuskript geschickt, von dem er nach Aussage seines
Vaters begeistert sein soll; es ist aber wirklich wertlose Spitzfintelei, Advokaten-
methode in der
Physik.[13]
Sie haben also mit Ihrem gestrengen fachlichen Urteil
einen guten Riecher gehabt, wie immer bei der Beurteilung von Menschen. Sie hät-
ten das Zeug dazu, den alten Kappeler zu ersetzen, in ganz anderem Masse als die
seitherigen weniger aufgeklärten Despoten unseres schwizerischen Schul-
wesens.[14]
Vielleicht kommts noch dazu!
Ich brüte an einem Manuskript zur Quantenfrage. Es ist ein entschiedener Fort-
schritt; die Sache führt insbesondere zu bestimmten mathematischen Problemen,
d.h. heraus aus dem uferlosen
Grübeln.[15]
Seien Sie herzlich gegrüsst von Ihrem
A. Einstein.
Schliessen Sie Ihre Briefe nicht; sie werden immer militär. geöffnet. Vielleicht liegt
hierin der Grund, dass einige Briefe nicht angekommen sind.
ALS (SzZ, Nachl. H. Zangger, box 1c). [86 459]. The envelope is addressed “Herrn Prof. Dr. H. Zang-
ger Bergstr. Zürich,” with return address “Abs. A. Einstein Wittelbacherstr. 13 Berlin.,” and post-
marked “Berlin-Wilmersdorf 1 5.5.17. 8–9N[achmittags]” with secondary postmark “Zürich Brf.
Exp. 9.V.17. X–.”
[1]About two months earlier, Einstein had proposed bringing Hans Albert to live with him in Berlin
(see Vol. 8, Doc. 308a, in the present volume).
[2]Maja Winteler-Einstein and her husband, Paul Winteler (1882–1952), who worked for the Swiss
Federal Railways (SBB) Kreisdirektion Luzern (see Rogger 2005, p. 64).
[3]Hans Tanner (1886–1961) was Einstein’s student at the University of Zurich and teacher of
mathematics and physics at Frauenfeld.
[4]Glarisegg, canton of Thurgau, was the town where Michele Besso’s son, Vero, attended second-
ary school.
[5]For a more detailed description by Einstein of his loss of supplemental income, see Einstein to
Michele Besso, 15 May 1917 (Vol. 8, Doc. 340). On Einstein’s salary in Berlin, as established in July
1914, see Einstein to Max Planck, 7 July 1914 (Vol. 8, Doc. 18), notes 2 and 3; on Einstein’s plans in
1914 to earn supplemental income, see Einstein to Elsa Einstein, 30 July 1914 (Vol. 8, Doc. 30).
[6]Einstein’s mother, Pauline Einstein (1858–1920), lived with her widowed brother Jacob Koch in
Heilbronn.
[7]Three months earlier, Einstein had expressed worries about the future financial security of his
sons (see Vol. 8, Doc. 291a, in the present volume).
[8]Eleven days later, Einstein mentioned 7,000 marks that he had sent to Einstein-Maric; (see Ein-
stein to Michele Besso, 15 May 1917 [Vol. 8, Doc. 340]).
[9]Eduard Einstein and his mother were in a hospital (see Vol. 8, Doc. 330a, in the present volume).
Hans Albert suddenly had an attack of fever, and Zangger and his wife took him into their home (for
details, see Michele Besso to Einstein, 4 May 1917 [Vol. 8, Doc. 333]).
[10]Three days later, Einstein informed Besso of his plan and asked him to consult with Maja
Winteler-Einstein and Paul Winteler about this. He offered 2,000 francs per year to board Hans Albert
at Maja’s home (see Einstein to Michele Besso, 7 May 1917 [Vol. 8, Doc. 335]).
[11]The same day, 4 May, the Physical Society of Zurich passed the motion to testify on behalf of
its former member, Friedrich Adler, who was awaiting trial for the assassination of Austrian prime
minister Count Karl von Stürgkh (see Michele Besso to Einstein, 4 May 1917 [Vol. 8, Doc. 333]).
Earlier Einstein had also written to Emperor Karl I on Adler’s behalf (see Vol. 8, Doc. 300a, in the
present volume). On Adler’s case and Einstein’s involvement, see also Vol. 8, Doc. 326a, notes 2 and