MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

LABORATORY FoR NUCLEAR SCIENCE
CAMBRIDGE 39, MASSACHUSETTS

Rm. 26-569

May 15, 1959

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
L. L. Cavalli-Sforza
Fatebenesorelle 18
Milan, Italy

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

Just a note to tell you about our last meet-
ing. In the first place, everybody on the Space Science Board
was very impressed with the work of your group in planetary
biology, and there was a unanimous opinion that your future
program must receive fullest support. It seems that the Space
Science Board itself can finance the meetings, To facilitate
this matter, it is desirable to establish more formal ties between
yourself and the Board. The natural thing to do was to ask you
to become a member of Hartline's committee, end I understand that
George Derbyshire has been in touch with you on this matter. TI
would like to emphasize that the members of my own committee are
as interested as ever in your work and wish to continue to keep
in close touch with you,

I understand also that your other two proposals
have been passed along to N.A.S.A. with a strong recommendation
for speedy action. I am afraid this was the only thing we could
do because the Board does not have funds to support research
activities,

There is only one more thing I would like to add,
Chandrasekar was here and in discussing space science, the name of
Sagan came up. Chandrasekar seems to have a rather poor opinion
of this man, He admits that his information is Second-hand and he
Dr. Joshua Lederberg /2/ May 15, 1959

syas that other people at Yerkes, particularly Joseph Chamberlain,
are in a better position than him to evaluate Sagan's ability and
competence. I thought that I would pass this information on to
you before you make any long-range committment with Sagan.

I hope you will have a pleasant time in Europe and
that I may see you in the near future.

With best wishes,
Sincerely yourss
/ Aa
Bruno Rossi

BR=n