Peirce Anderson to Oscar Wenderoth

We are sending you today under separate cover prints of revised drawings of the inscriptions for the new Washington Post Office.
In this connection, I should like to have your advice on a matter of professional ethics. By agreement with the Treasury Department, the inscriptions were originally composed by Dr. Chas. W. Eliot, who was paid a professional fee for this service. The text of the inscriptions, as finally agreed upon with Dr. Eliot, was approved by the then Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Mac Veagh, and Dr. Eliot’s name was placed on the drawings as the author of these inscriptions.
In view of the recent changes, is it proper still to consider that Dr. Eliot is the author of the inscriptions or would it be well to communicate with him with the idea of securing his approval of the recent changes in phraseology.
On one other occasion, ie that of the Columbus Memorial, Dr. Eliot has shown himself somewhat sensitive on the matter of changes in wording designed by him, and if the revised text is to be referred to him, it would perhaps be best to have this take place over the signature of the government officer who is responsible for the revisions.
I shall be greatly obliged if you will help us handle this somewhat delicate diplomatic matter.