Mareh 26, 1950.

Dr. Alexander Hollaender,
Biology Division,

Oak Ridge National Lahoratory,
P.O. Box P, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Dear Dr. Hollaender:

Before replying to your letters of the 22d and 23d, I would firat
like to thank you and the members of your group for the wonderful hos-
pitality shown me on my recent visit. It was a most interesting and in
formtive visit.

I was somenkat surprised to receive your invitation to contribute
‘a chapéer on UV effects on bacteria to the forthcoming volume on radiation
biology, as this is a field which I have entered only very recently and ob-
liquely, and know very little about. However, partly for the educational
benefit (to me) that the task would entail, I wil] be glad to undertake
the task provided that I can have the collsbogation of Dr. Aaron Novick.
I spoke to Novick about it, informally, on tha phone and I think that I
can persuade him to join with me if the arrangement maets with your approval.
The deadline date, November 1, is rather soon, especially as both Novick
and I will be svay from our headquarters this sumer, but it will probably
allow enough time for at least a draft manuscript. If Dr. Novick's collabo-
ration is satisfactory, may I sugsest that you serd nim a fortal invitation,
_ and a duclicate set of instructivsns.

The chapter headings are sonewhat confusing, as they seem to reflect
an organization along intersecting cieavaze nlanes. That is, you have
technique, genetic effects, lethal effects, photoreactivation ss separate
chanéérs. as well as-one on bacteria which ecuta right across the cther
classifications, and is pretty well exhausted by them. Before the actual
writine job is undertake, { would anpreciate some clarification as to the
scope and area of the chapsér you want on bacteria, so that there is no
tinnecessary dimlication, Alternatively, I would raise the question whether
distinct shanoters on fungi, bacteria, and viruses are desiraole, or whether
they might not better be incornorated into the other subject headings.
Concerning the possibility of my joining the regular staff of the
Biology Division, my views are along the lines of our s6arlier discus—
sion. I would not object to the most stringent security regulations
on work of an inherently secret nature, but I am afraid that I am sensi-
tive enough to this type of atmosphere that I would feel somewhat stifled ©
by its unmeaningful application to basie bivicsic:l research, by the
mere accident of the location of the Division Laboratory at Oak Ridge.

I am not unmindful of the many advantages, both to my personal advancement
and to doing a large volume of basic research under otherwise excellent
conditions, that I should be losing by not taking un your offer. However,
I have not been able to psrsuade myself that I would be a happier person
cr, in the long run; a more productive scientist by leaving my present
connections with the University of Wisconsin, however meagre, by comparison,
the personal temeEdbeeand the provision of research materials may be.
These considerations would not annply to’a short-term assoclation with

the Laboratory, should the direction of my work indicate the advisability
of seeking it. I hope that my hesitation at accepting a permanent appoint—
meant at oak Ridge will not prejudice your consideration at some later date
of a reguest on my part to make use of the Laboratory's facitities for a
period of a few veers or months.

You mentioned that you -had not visited Madison for many years. I

would be vers; nleased if you could find the time,during your trip to
Chicago that vou mentioned in yorr Letter, to visit our laboratory.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
Assistant Professur of Genetics