May 16, 1953

Dr. Boris Rotpan
Bacteriology Department
University of TDlinois
Urbana, Dlinois

Dear Boris:

Thank you for your letter outlining your research plan. I think
that Lardy and I would both want to facilitate your completing these
details, but you will understand that we will have to meet together
before any final decision.

I have what should turn out to be good news, The adminkstration
of the Heart Institute program at UW has been changed, so that the
research fellows will now be paid from a grant to the University, rather
than directly from Bethesda. There is therefore no technical obstacle
to your appointment. The only hurdle left is wheter Congress will
appropriate the funds requested. As you may know, the NIH budget has
been cut. As I understand it, however, the budget for the local program
has not been affected, but we cannot be sure until the appropriation is
actually made. Lardy seems to feel that the odds are 100:1 in favor of
securing the funds. If they are not, we will all be in trouble, but I
think we could scrape up enough support, for several months at least,
from miscellaneous sources.

Of course, until we are able to make a definite tender to you, you
need not feel obligated to dismiss alternative offers, such as the one
at Columbia P&S. You have our assurance that you will be appointed if
the funds permit, and you may have to evaltate for yourself the risks in-
volved. A

On the whole, it would be preferable for us for you to start in Sep-
tember. However, I have the funds and a littke space here in the Genetics
building to acsomodate you-over the swamer, if this would be essential
for you. Fe BE

Would you tell the Landmans we will be happy to see them the 24th?
The invitation goes for you (or anyone else there for that matter) as

well, I expect ES Anderson will still be here by then.
y
vo A
qe ‘Youtrs—sincerely,

fy

Joshua Lederberg