November 6, 1958

Or. Melvin Cohn

Department of Microbielogy

Washington University School of Medicine
Euclid Avenue and Kingshi ghway

Saint Louis, Missouri

Dear Me':

Thank yeu very much for your letter of November 4th. 1 could net help but
be puzzled by the discrepency between Harry Eagle's account of him and what |
had deard through Art. On the basis of the hour or two of personal contact |
had with him and your last letter 1 would be inclined to go ahead on a strictly
probationary basis because it seems to me that he has a scientific experience
that is going to be very difficult to match anywhere else. This has not gone
very far Just yet and what | had In mind was to approach him with the possibility
of an instructorship in genetics at Stanford. | definitely would not want to
go ahead with this if there were a serious prospect that he would be unable to
get along with you in particular and if you have enough doubts on this point
that you would want to discourage even a probationary arrangement | will drop
the matter forthwith. | am waiting to hear a little bit more about him from
Harry and expect that the time would be ripe for direct approach in a week or
perhaps two weeks. So if I am taking too optimistic a view of the situation
please let me know right away.

| should also mention that Henry Kaplan is very much interested in
Herzenberg too but feels that from his own point of view he might be better
off in a basic science where, if he has the stuff, he would have somewhat
better chances of advancement. Since you have had three months contact with
him | just have to rely on your Judgment of these personal factors although |
realise how awkward it may be to have to accept such a responsibility. | do
wonder however if it would be possible to get any deeper insight into his
capabilities by any measure short of having him come out, let's say for a year
on a basis like an instructorship or research associatship. If 1 don't hear
from you within the next several days or week | will just assume that | have
correctly construed the intent of your letter for which thanks very much.

Yours sincerely,