Mareh 3, 1955

Honorable Balter J. Kohler
Governor, State of Wisconsin
Madison

Dear Governor Kohler:

I am taking the liberty of writing to you because of your often
expressed concern for highway safety, Unfortunately, this problem is
too easily ignored in the abstract; 1t becomes conerete in blood and
tears.

Poasibly you have nothced in the local newspapers a brief mention
that a University graduate student, Robert E. Wright, wan critically
injured Monday, near Janosvilis, The anguish that has fallen on his
family, his friends, and his colleagues is perhars no more than has been
visited on others, sn it may ba of Littls moment that he is a scientist
of great promise. I an sorry to have to any that hée fs st!11 unconscious,
though being vel) carsd for at "niverstty Hoenbteals.

The point of my letter is the nature of the accident. Thera does not
appear to have been any culpable negligence: many sutoiste will drive on
roads that say have scatterad icy patches. But one person vas eritheally
injured; two others ware unscathed, and the car itself not notebly damaged.
Doas this not suggest that a safety belt would have helped avoid or minknize
the injury? How many similar incidents must there not be?

As you know, bills pertaining to thir safety maasure have been introduced
in the legislaturn. I do not know whethet you have studied the matter suffi-
ciently to wish to support or oppose these measures. I do fear that either
apathy or the incidents of political partisan maneuvering may entangle the
bills. I am asking thahli sincerity that you lend your bast offiaes to ensuring
that these proposals be studied, both in the legislative ant executive depart—
ments, in an impartial manner so that they can be presented for legislative
action on their technical merits. An issue of this kind is unlikely to
angage wide public interest if it 4s simply buried in the public rowtine.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg
(Professor of Genetics
University of Wisconsin)