OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY
OPERATED BY
CARBIDE AND CARBON CHEMICALS DIVISION
UNION CARBIDE AND CARBON CORPORATION

TTi9

POST OFFICE BOX P
OAK RIDGE, TENN.

May 28, 1951

Dr. J. Lederberg

Dept. of Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Josh:

Many thanks for your review of Lampen's manuscript. I
did not honestly think there would be too much wrong with the paper,
but I would prefer having someone like yourself have a good look at
it.

I am very glad that you added the last sentence in your
letter to me about the necessity of most careful editing of the
genetical papers in J. Bact. As you probably know, Porter's
editorship begins with next July's issue. We are having an Editorial
Board Meeting in Chicago and I think I mentioned in my last letter
to you that I am going to make a strong point and absolutely insist
that papers be sent for review to the best people in the field,
regardless of whether they are members of the Bacteriology Society
or of the Editorial Board. There seems to be some pressure to have
only the Editorial Board review papers, though I do not believe
that Porter wholeheartedly agrees with this. At any rate, there
is going to be a big fight at the Editorial Board Meeting if my
point does not seem to go across. Porter's attitude so far has
seemed to be very good about these things, and I believe that if he
is given time to get things straightened around properly, and if we
manage to get some sensible kind of "positive" reviewing done, I
really think the Journal can be put into pretty good shape. I have
reviewed a few papers on metabolism during the last few months, which
will go into the issues under Porter's editorship and in one or two
cases the authors were not too happy. Nevertheless, I believe that
@ critical review is the best way to handle these papers, especially
if some positive suggestions can be given.

Again, many thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

LS) Copape’
SFC: th S. F. Carson
Biology Division

o7 MH.

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