1 6 2 D O C U M E N T 2 4 9 S E P T E M B E R 1 9 2 1
with you and Mr.
Anschütz,[6]
which I had been looking forward to so much. But
this can be made up for at another opportunity under less difficult conditions. In any
case I am definitely free of any resentment; I simply steer clear of occasions involv-
ing senseless personal trouble.
I am doing an interesting experiment with
Geiger[7]
on the
light emitted by a canal-ray particle. Problem: Is the inter-
ference field generated by a canal-ray particle moving in the
direction of the arrow in an elementary process really bluer
at A than at B? If yes, the light ray has to be bent by a dis-
persive
medium.[8]
Don’t pull such a cross face but set yourself into the mode of kind understanding
and accept my cordial regards, yours,
A. Einstein.
248. To Werner Richter
[Berlin,] 29 September 1921
[Not selected for translation.]
249. To Heinrich Zangger
[Berlin,] 29 September 1921
Dear Zangger,
I cannot tell you much of particular worth. I don’t know anything about that man
who has to direct the investigation on public
decency.[1]
Should these things really
be taken so seriously? In big cities, unstable people easily go under, but those with
a sound instinct hold their own. I don’t believe in degeneracy. Perhaps women go
stray also from poverty as well as the lack of social backing. But to control it effec-
tively one would probably have to get rid of the big cities themselves, which is
impossible, of course. The heavy handed state probably can do little about it. Its
most important task would be the protection of illegitimate children and destitute
mothers. That might even be enough to protect those with aptitude from going
under. But the well-situated and the Pharisees always balk at radical measures. But
you understand all of this better than I, who have concerned myself so little with
matters human.
I know nothing about any institute for radiology and am sure that in this bank-
ruptcy mood over here nobody is thinking of establishing a new institute. You are
A
B
T