Columbia Guibersity
inthe City of MetwPork

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
LAMONT GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
PALISADES

MAIL ADDRESS-

LAMONT GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY
TORREY CLIFF

PALISADES, NEW YORK August 13; 1959

TELEPHONE ELMwoop 9-2900

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Medical Genetics
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Josh:

You mentioned to me in Los Angeles a letter which you wrote to President
Kirk in reply to his congratulations for your Nobel prize, and stated that
after some consideration you decided not to send the letter. As far as the
welfare of Columbia University is concerned, I think you made a mistake in
that decision.

Our present effort to engage in studies on the microbiology of polar seas
and sediments is meeting with some resistance within the Medical School.

I believe that President Kirk and the administrative team which he has
chosen would not only be receptive to any advice which you could offer
along the lines of your earlier letter, but that they would be quite grate-
ful for it.

I certainly do not wish to make undue demands upon your time, or to urge
you into a controversial situation, but if you would be willing either to
write an appropriate letter to President Kirk as a delayed reply to his
letter, or to allow me to suggest that he seek your advice, I would be
extremely grateful. On the other hand please be assured that if, for any
reason whatever, you wish to remain entirely clear of this problem, I
will respect your decision and bear no grudge whatever.

With best regards,

Sincerely yours,

Maurice Ewing

MEs JM