15_52
Kew
- Mr. Skan tells me some very amusing stories about Sir William Dyer's interference in small matters, trivial details. Bookshelves were put in the lower corrider of the Herbarium. Skan and Mr. Hemsley wanted the shelves 1 inch wider but they didn't get their way about it. Finally shelves were put in the upper corrider. Skan made a vigorous effort to have them made 1 inch wider, pointing out that the volumes would project an inch. They must be just like the others said Sir William. One day Dyer came in and said to Skan: I want the Hooker Correspondence put on those
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15_53
Feb. 3, 1906
shelves (in the upper Corrider). Do it right away. It was done. Skan then pointed out the volumes too broad. Dyer said: Well, we'll send them to the bindery and have them shortened. Which was done! it being necessary to fold in the letters, a thing which Dyer abominates. Fancy the head of a great establishment like Kew interfering in small matters like that. He has been encouraged in this by Hemsley referring small matters to him. If a head of a dep't acts on his own initiative and does his work satisfactorily Dyer does not interfere. If a man comes to him about trivial details he will take a very strong lead." What
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