November 8, 1968

The Hon. Paul.N. McCloskey

House of Representatives

1719 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, BD. C. 20515

Dear Pete:

First let me add my congratulations to the resounding vote of confidence that
you received from the voters of San Mateo County.

Mr. Nixon's victory statement focussed on the theme "Bring us together". There
is one important and relevant decision that might easily be overlooked in the
press of business during the days to come. I am referring to the character and
reputation of the man whom the President will name as his Science Advisor, the
post now held by Dr. Don Hornig.

The Office of the Science Advisor is not at a crucial focus of decision-making
in the sense of the Secretaries of the major departments. However, he is an
important channel of communication between the President and the scientific

and academic community. For this reason, this appointment will loom very large
in our new President's success in mobilizing the support of the leaders of
intellectual life in this country.

My particular anxiety about this appointment stems from the character of a
self-constituted group of Nixon's campaign supporters led by Admiral Strauss.

I enclose a news comment that appeared in Science magazine for October 11 which
quotes some perhaps intemperate and personally offensive remarks that can be
put down to cempaign rhetoric, but which nevertheless reflect the reactions of
@ very great many saclentists to such names as I have encircled on Mr. Strausa's
solicitation. It would be a dieastrous blow to hopes of conciliation if

Dr. Teller or othere identified with his position on issues like arms control
were to be named to the symbolically important post of Science Advisor.

I do not write this letter with the intention of pressing for any particular
candidate for this position. It is my hope that the importance of it be fully
recognized and that Mr. Nixon's choice be preceded by the deliberation and con-
sultation that it deserves.

There are some sources of competent and, hopefully, objective advice, for example,
the National Academy of Sciences and the members of the Presfdent's Science
Advisory Committee under previous administrations. The Adademy might conceivably
be asked to constitute an ad hoc committee to make some informal recommendations,
not only the names of candidates but on some of the areas that deserve a high
priority of attention; alternatively, the incoming president of the Acadeny,

Phil Handler; Harrison Brown, its Secretary for International Affairs: and

Harvey Brooks of the Academy's Committee on Science and Public Policy would be
particularly noteworthy. Professor Brooks, as you may well know, has already

KANSOTIAW

 
 

The Hon. Paul N. McCloskey Novenber 8, 1968
Page 2

has been aspecially concerned about improving channels of communication between
science and Congress.

I also enclose a hastily compiled list of the membera of President Eisenhower's
Science Advisory team. Despite the ravages of time, there are still many people
on these lists whom it would be wise to consult about candidates for the position
of Science Advisor.

I have confirmed with your Belmont office our appointment for 8 a.m. Wednesday,
November 20, for breakfast at a place to be confirmed, and look forward to seeing
you at that time. I am just assembling the group of my colleagues and will try
to pate you an advance list of who may be expected to be there.

All best wishes for the new term.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

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