UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

IN REPLY REFER TO: WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

BMB s MRZ

30 November 1950

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Medison, Wisconsin

Dear Joshs

I am returning your research proposal. I have no suggestions to
make except perhaps a little polishing up as you have suggested

in your own letter. It is detailed enough as it stands. IJ am some-
what appalled at the size of the budget for you will eclipse Sax's
record of having the smallest AEC contract. He had one for $1300,
the first year.

While I don't make it a policy to susgest that people ask for more
money, I feel in your case that I can do so, because I know it will
be well spent. So for gosh sakes if there are some other things you
need, don't hesitate to ask for them. We would not blink at a couple
thousand dollars which would still be a smail contract so far as we
are concerned. At the same time I do appreciate your attitude in not
wanting to deplete the U. S. Treasury, so whatever you decide on this
is o.k. by me. As for the proposed budget, I think a little more
detail would be appropriate, that is, a reasonable estimate of the
cost of some specific instrument and so forth,

I haven't yet had a chance to send the manuscripts to Sherman, but
will try to get rid of them this weekend. I was very interested in
your comment about the new cultures which eross with K Abe. You
haven't found one with a higher frequency of crossing yet I trust?

Best wishes to you and Esther.

Very truly yours,

Max R. Zelle
Geneticist, Biology Branch
Division of Biology and Medicine

Enclosure
Research Proposal