Jamary 21, 1953

Dr. M, Demerec
Le qT. Biol. Assn.
Cold Spring Harboy, L.I.,N.-Y.

Dear Or. Demersc:

Thank you for your reeent invitation tc partieipate in the fortheoming
symposium on Viruses. Mrs. Lederberg and I would like to reserve agcomdations
for the entire syaposiua, Owlag to other possible contingencies, our plans
for the sunner are still tentative, but we will give you ample notice of any
changes,

I will not somaent in detail on the program, which is excellent except
where Lt strays from the stated subject. I enpreciate that it would be too
lata tc alter it at this date, and that Dr. Delbruck shares responsibility
for its organization.

However, the very structure of the progrsaa fs not sufficiently clear for
us to proceed with the preparation of a manuacript. In previous years, there
has besn no distinction between "napers"” and "disevsaions",and I must ask
what significanes these hold now. I am more concerned about the scope in sub-
jeot and extent for the ma. than for the inforssl] presentations at the con-
ference, As things stand now, I have no action of the kind of aontribution I
am expected te Loraulate, nor how auch leeway we sey heve in choies of subject
aatter, length of oral discussion, or pages of manuscript. Let me reassure you
that we have nc Intention of prepering aa opus magnus such as cecupied so many
pages of tha 1951 volume Unfortunately, we have a contractual obligation that
obligas us to clear our remarks end gs. some waeks before their presentation.
For this reason, an early clarifioetion would be appraciated.

Youre sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg