Vr. James P. Hume, ¢ January 27, 194k hearing. In your letter you state that you talked to Major Thielecke and that it was entireiy proper for us to initiate the proceedings and to come down with facts and figures at the time agreed upon. Is it your understanding that we are not to furnish them any of the information in advance of February 15th, or do you agree with me that it might be well to send on the information in advance { There is just one thing which occurs to me at the moment. If all of the information is sent on to St. Louis and there might be something which you, as a lawyer, did not like, it would be too late to recall it, as I do not believe we will be able to meet the February 15th date and send all of the data on to you and then back here, making any changes which might be necessary. That is one reason why we are meeting on the lith in Chicago. in your conversation with Major Thielecke did he infer that the February 15th date was just a preliminary date, or is my understanding correct that even though they do not have advance data and information that we can come down and in two or three days finish up and get our clearance. You will recall that it was ten days after receipt of data that they set our first hearing. I can see where this will be much simpler and that it may not be necessary for them to study the figures too much in detail. In any event, a day or so doesn't make any difference, but it would make quite a difference, at least to us, if we had to either wait around in St. Louis or some back home and make a return trip. | Inasmuch as this Lletver cannot reach you either in Boston or New York, and you were not sure shee you would be in tichmond, I am sending it on to Miss Kelly asking her to forward t to you. JI am also enclosing a prepuaes letter to be sent to Colt's regarding the reduction in 37 mm. guns. We will not sen this letter to them until you have approved it and we have received the benefit of any criticism or suggestions, but would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible upon this point. Would greatly appreciate it if, upon your return to Chicago the week of February 6th, you waurd phone Major Thiele cke and confirm our appointment for February 15th telling him just what we plan on doing. ~ All of our correspondence in the past has been with Mr. Williams and my judgment is that unless there is some good reason for changing to Major Thielecke we shoudd address our reports and letters to Wr. Williams.