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STANFORD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305 ¢ (415) 321-1200

STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 8 / 2 2/ 7 7

Department of Genetics

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Hon. Les Aspin
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Aspin--

This is to say how keenly I support your effort to regulate the abuse
of telephone privacy. I would appreciate receiving a copy of the bill
HR 13267, and other information on its legislative status.

This is not a peripheral issue of minor personal irritation. The telephone
system is central to the whole network of inter-personal communication in our
culture. We will see many further technical advances that will doubtless reduce
its costs -- and make it ever more attractive to unsolicited intrusions. It is
insufferable that this instrument of personal conversation should be abused to
the extent it already has; and if unchecked, this trend will surely become
ever worse, Even unlisted numbers are not a sure protection. And before long,
telephone salesmen will have recourse to computer-mechanized dialing, which
can automatically scan through every possible telephone number, whether in the
directory or not, in the search for sales prospects. XS

I may have some technical’ comments, if I may have the opportunity to peruse
your bill; but I have no doubt of be. an enthusiastic supporter of your initiativ

Sincerely yours, \

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Joshua Lederberg

LT. J. P. KENNEDY, JR. LABORATORIES FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE, DEDICATED TO RESEARCH IN MENTAL RETARDATION

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY HEREDITY NEUROBIOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE