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COPY.

CAIRO, EGYPT.

JANUARY 7TH [1904]

Mr George E. Crothers,

San Francisco, U.S.A.

Dear Mr Crothers,

Your last communication has just reached me, and I
will answer it at once, as I am about to leave Cairo for Luxor.

I have been very much interested in the proceedings
of the Trustees and think they are taking a step in the right
direction when they are arranging to take upon themselves the
organization of some discipline throughout the different depart-
ments of the University. You and I know how slack and irregular
the internal affairs of the University have been run - waste and
indifference to the care of the property - trifles which seemed
almost beneath my notice, but which were all an indication to me
of the indifference as to the expenditure of money. I used to be
so impressed with my own, almost foolish care, even in my own
household affairs, as to whether there was a spirit of careful-
ness or wastefulness in the administration of my household,
because as a child it had been taught me that "wilful waste
brings woeful want." It is my nature to be careful, therefore
you can well imagine how it grieved and worried me to witness the
lack of care exhibited at the University.

I well remember walking through the machine shops
with Mr. Stanford; it was on a Sunday, and we found the doors
and windows open, beautiful and expensive steel tools lying about
uncovered, and I shall never forget the sad look that came over
his face and the remark he made: - " I have spent over 60,000
dollars in equiping this department - would you think it? Is
there any evidence of care here?" I made no answer, for my
heart was too full, and I did not wish him to feel worse than
he already did. How many times since then has my heart ached,
and I have wondered, if the Institution had been endowed with
twice the sum it has, if it would ever be sufficient under exist-
ing circumstances; consequently you can well appreciate how