Oetober 13, 1956

Dr. Hilary Koprowski
267 Kinien Avenue
Englewood ,Newnderse y

Dear Dr. Koprowski:

Your news of the rejuvenation of the old Wistar brings an exciting
prospect: I know that under your direction, the “atudy of the mammalian
cell" would have a very tangible ani fruitful deWelopment. The concept
of an affiliation which would enable m to contime the directions of
my own studies, and still participate indirectly in other aspects of
cell biology is a very tempting one. The type of position you indicate
ia also an attractive one, in so far as it might permit some expansion
of the activities I already have without the administra tive obligations
of a directorship. I could scareely think of anyone I would preferably
see in the position you are considering-— a remark I hope you will tale
in the sams spirit as you offered your own. S4 you can see I am prepared
to give this question the most sympathetic consideration.

On the other hand, I mst also say that the proppeet of moving to
Philadelphia 1s rather appalling, that Esther ani I find Madison a
pleasant city to live in, and that the University has been quite con-
siderate of my requirements, so $iaf I have no basis for acute dissatis—
faction. I have sometimes thought that our faeilities have been more
primitive and cramped than are available elsewhere, but they have not
been 8 serious limitation—— and by discouraging the accumlation of too
uowleldy a group, may have som virtue. However, they are grosaly inade—
quate for any such programs a tissue culture or animal work that would
require substantial service space, and thia has in part oriented the
direction of my own work. On balance, I would suspect that the additional
factor of inertia would keep me here, but I do not wish to confirm an
erroneous impressionsthat I am uninterested in considering any alternative
situations. If I can make the suggestion without offering a fhhse ani
undue encouragement, I would be glad to hear some more details such as
the facilities and persohsel opportunities that might be expected to per—
tain to such an appointment, and the salary arrangements. I will under-
stand you may not yet be in a position to negotiate on these mtters, but
I would want to know as much of the prospects as you would in like circum
stances.

Let me add that my present salary 1s $10,000 (for an "ll-month appoint-
ment" 1956-57)mand that present university policy portends a 20-25% inorease
during the next two years (we hope!). My teaching obligations at present
are quite light, and not at all onerous. I would assume that there was
no statutory ber to my wife's conth&ning as a research associate for her
own related program— the funds for this having customarily come from
“outside” grants.

If your own acceptance of this attractive situation is directly aemkéagent
on my assurances of acceptance, it would be cruel of me to lead you on, so
I am frank to say that at present "I am willing to be tempted" or to be jolted
out of my present routine adjustment here. May I presume to suggest that
regardless of my personal response, you yourself should be in the best position
to determine whether you would have the freedom of action, and the resources,
to build the kind of group you have in mind.

In any case, you know that you have my best wishes for good judgment and
all success in this venture.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetica