OFFICE MEMORANDUM e¢ STANFORD UNIVERSITY @ OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Dae: OCT 23 1969

To :President Pitzer

From : Goshua Lederberg

Susect: HEW Blacklist & Secretary Finch.

Would it be impertinent for me to suggest
that in your capacity as President of the University
you might have a particularly persuasive message
to convey to Secy. Finch on this matter?

I have been personally engaged with it for some
time as a member of the NIMH advisory council, and
the system is unbelievably pernicious and stupid.
Many people are on the blacklist without being
aware of it. A potential candidate is investigated
before he is even asked about his availability for
study-section membership. If the security section
raises any question whatever, the director faces
the dilenma of whether to press hard for a full
field investigation without the candidate's knowledge
After years of struggle, 'security' will often back
down to avoid a direct court confrontation. And this
leaves the system just where it was.

The HEW system goes far beyond the requirements
of the law or the existing security systems of
other agencies like DOD or AEC.

. If you are of like mind, could you ask other
reputable citizens (e.g. the Board) to Speak up?
Other university presidents?

It may be most impertant to know what Finch's
problem is, and this suggests some advantage to

personal communication,
Sincerely,

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