Septesber 7, 1962

Br. James B. Harber ing )
President's Sclentific Advisory Cam! ttee B 8 log |
The White House

Washington, DBD. C.

Bear Jim:

During the pest months {| have been very auch alermed about the Imp! ications
thet the House Appropriations Cow:lttee's pressure on the NIN for 'iaproved
business management'' may have for the conduct of blolegica! and medical re-
search In this country. tmt!! recently this concern wes more abstract;
howaver, It Is just an I}lustration ef its possible Impact that one of ay

om recent applications for NIH support, having been approved with respect 3}
to Its sclentific merits by the appropriate study section, wes returned by V}
the Counc! for further information, primarily with regard to budgetary a

details. Conservatively, it would have to estimate that it took a full

week of my tine to collect and restate the material asked for, and together
with the long tine delays Involved in the repested referrel of such an appl i-
cation, this kind ef thing threatens to become a very serious lapediaent to
the canduct of eclentific research. 1 realize thet the NIH has, In the past,
followad its om inclinations and devices In its relationships with Congress,
but the present situation seems to me too alerming to be Ignored by PSAC, In
view of the serlous potential threat to the mschanisa of federal support of
sclence, besed on mutual confidence.

t believe thet NIH's current administrative policy is besed on the directions
of the House Appropriations Comalttee following the recent heerings where
Dr. Shannen and other NIH representatives testified. 1 would like to bring
these to your attention, with the hope that the matter may also be brought
home to PSAC. | would also appreciate it If you could get this testimony
and report for me as printed In the record.

Cordially,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL: odf