WILLIAM PROXMIRE, WIS., CHAIRMAN
JOHN SPARKMAN, ALA,

J. W. FULBRIGHT, ARK.

ABRAHAM RIBICOFF, CONN.

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY, MINN,

LLOYD M, BENTSEN, JR., TEX.

JACOB K. JAVITS, N.Y.

JACK MILLER, IOWA

CHARLES H. PERCY, ILL.

JAMES B. PEARSON, KANS.

JOHN R. STARK,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Congress of the Qnited States

JOINT ECONOMIG COMMITTEE
{CREATED PURSUANT TO SEC, 5(a) OF PUBLIC LAW 204, 7STH CONGRESS)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510

January 12, 1973

Professor Joshua Lederberg

Department of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

JAN 1° 1973

WRIGHT PATMAN, TEX,, VICE CHAIRMAN
RICHARD BOLLING, MG.

HALE BOGGS, LA,

HENRY S. REUSS, WIS,

MARTHA W. GRIFFITHS, MICH.

WILLIAM S. MOORHEAD, PA.

WILLIAM B. WIDNALL, N.J.

BARBER B. CONABLE, JR., N.Y.
CLARENCE J. BROWN, OHIO

BEN B. BLACKBURN, GA.

JAMES W. KNOWLES,
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

It is apparent that the Air Force will justify the
need for a new B-1 bomber in part by the reductions in the B-52

inventory as a result of their losses over North Vietnam.

Aside from the entire question of the War, which I
oppose, the use of B-52's is particularly alarming.

Your point about the military justification of using

SAC forces on a tactical mission is well made.

This has generally

been overlooked, but SAC forces have been nearly cut in half due
to the Vietnam battle.

I will continue to be critical of the B-1 bomber and-

will object to any attempt by the Air Force to justify a new
bomber on the basis of the reduction in forces occurring in

Vietnam.

WP:rtg

a

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Sincerely,

Zibb aovine

William Proxmire, U.S.S.

“VY XOICL

-Co7 /