David Rockefeller
Harkabi/Israel -- (attachm)
Perhaps you already took note of this column. I know Harkabi well, and he is indeed a figure who commands great respect. I hope you have an occasion to meet him: he could have the most positive influence for the further evolution of steps toward peace in the Middle East.
Please forgive me for taking your time about the San Francisco Presidio. There is perhaps one constructive idea that might survive realistic criticism. In my view the huge campus of the N.I.H. at Bethesda is already greatly over-centralized, mainly because
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the bureaucracy wants to stay close the congressional purse-strings.
I have argued that further growth of government laboratories be de-centralized, e.g. to sites like the Presidio and the Army hospital there. There are active proposals, e.g., for new construction for institutes for aging, alcohol and drug abuse, and child health. Senator Cranston's office will look into all this.
Of course I agree there is no practical role for The Rockefeller University in all this except, perhaps, technical advice and support through existing channels.
Sincerely,
Joshua Lederberg