department of agriculture,
Masblngton, £>. C.
May G, 1917.
Mr. P. H. S. Phillips, Secretary.
The Tallahassee Boosters' Club,
First national Bank Blag.,
Tallahassee, Fla.
Dear Ur. Phillips:
Your letter of May fifth was received just as the Assistant Secretary was leaving the city. He ashed me to say to you that he regrets very much that he will be unable to deliver an address at the Gld Spanish Trail Convention, to be held in your city Hay 13-19. He appreciates your kind invitation, however, and regrets that speaking engagements already arranged for about this time will prevent his coming South. Owing to the pressure of work at this time, also, it would hardly be possible for him to fill an engagement so far away from 'Washington, as important matters are arising daily which require his presence at the office-
Very truly yours,
Executive Clerk.
P.S. - I would suggest that you communicate with "r. ?. H.
Rolfs, Director of Extension, College of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida, and it is quite possible that he may be able, to furnish you with a good speaker for this occasion. As you probably know, the Department cooperates directly with the agricultural colleges in carrying out their work in several states.