C A L E N D A R O F A B S T R A C T S 1 9 1 1 8 2 3 Vol. 5, 303a. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich,] 14 November 1911 To encourage an employment offer from the ETH, Marcel Grossmann suggested that the board of the mathematics-physics department VIII of the ETH address an official re- quest to AE. Has also garnered support from Robert Gnehm, president of the ETH—who originally made the suggestion to establish a chair for electrotechnics—and from Pierre Weiss. AE should ask for a salary of 11,000 to 12,000, the same sum that Utrecht would offer him. Alfred Kleiner has advised AE not to decline the Utrecht offer until Zurich makes an official offer. The employment question is developing only slowly, since many ETH governors, as well as Government Counselor Josef Schrobinger, are ill. Schulmann 2012, Doc. 23, p. 58. [95 300]. Vol. 5, 306a. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich,] 16 November 1911 Mentions that David Reichinstein has spread the rumor that AE will not accept the ETH appointment, which would be a “fiasco” for himself, Pierre Weiss, and Marcel Gross- mann, who relied on his assurances. Asks AE to send him and the others a telegram if that is the case. If AE should indeed decline the appointment, he will move to a new post in Paris. Schulmann 2012, Doc. 25, p. 61. [95 301]. Vol. 5, 306b. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich, ca. 16 November 1911] The ETH board of governors has finally managed to embrace the idea that the appoint- ment of excellent individuals draws other people with talent but good ideas are often thwarted by old prejudices. Will further increase the pressure. The fact that AE’s ap- pointment does not involve laboratory costs, the need for more assistants, or worries about upsetting the schedule for the second semester counts in AE’s favor. Schulmann 2012, Doc. 26, p. 64. [95 302]. Vol. 5, 308a. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich,] 20 November 1911 Has informed Pierre Weiss about AE’s telegram that he is prepared to accept the appoint- ment. Now that the matter is moving forward without further resistance, others are claiming the credit. Hesitates to take a position in Paris, as he does not know whether he will feel at home there. Schulmann 2012, Doc. 29, p. 66. [95 303]. Vol. 5, 315b. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich, after 2 December 1911] After a positive meeting of the ETH board of governors on 2 December it is time to cel- ebrate AE’s probable appointment. Enthusiastically recounts his Jungfrau trip and in- quires about the timing of AE’s lecture in Vienna. Paul Langevin has managed to avoid divorce proceedings: after a three-year separation he was granted a divorce. Marie Curie should be happy with this solution. It would be a great pity if Peter Debye were to leave. A very good article by him on specific heat will soon appear in the Physikalische Zeitschrift. If Zangger publishes an article about the adoption of the accident law of 13 June 1911, it will certainly be seriously attacked but he will defend himself. Schulmann 2012, Doc. 31, p. 70. [95 304]. Vol. 5, 316a. From Heinrich Zangger [Zurich, after 6 December 1911] Urges AE to visit Zurich and the ETH president, Robert Gnehm, before the beginning of the new year. At this stage in the negotiations, Gnehm’s asking AE’s opinion on cur- riculum development in the Mathematics-Physics Department is not justified. The Zu- rich authorities know that AE has declined the Utrecht offer, but they do not know that H. A. Lorentz has recently—and with perseverance—courted AE to change his mind. Assures AE that everyone in Zurich is looking forward to his appointment. Is returning to the Jungfrau mountain range to investigate the poisonous gases coming out of the rock has promised Pierre Weiss to give a talk on the subject after New Year’s. Weiss