November 30 '53
Felt but not sent
Dear Mr. Hoover:
As long as Congress continues to favor investigations as to the subversive activities of the foundations, including the one in which I serve, it seems to me that any connections I have had with advisory bodies in the Federal government might topically and agreeably be suspended. Consequently I beg you to excuse me from the Task Force for Medicine.  You can easily find a substitute whose connections are completely free from any suspicions whatsoever, and who could serve you better for having no doubts whatever attached to the integrity of the work he would like to do for his government.
Yours sincerely
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November 30 '53
Ditto
Dear Mr. Hoover:
I have recently learned that the legislative branch of the Government has decided to investigate the foundations again and to raise questions of whether their activities have been subversive.
While I do not for an instant challenge the right of Congress to do that repeatedly, I would feel my presence meanwhile on any advisory committee to a government that even indirectly challenges my loyalty might be an embarrassment to the Commission as well as being a humiliation to me.
I am consequently withdrawing from the other five government advisory committees I have served on and beg you to excuse me from further service on the Task Force for Medicine.  This decision is based on a purely personal feeling.  I hold it in abeyance during
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the Congressional investigation of foundations sponsored by the late Congressman Cox.  But I find a continuation of such feelings unnecessary since you can readily a successor for me who could serve you better for having no doubts whatever attached to the integrity of the work he would like to do for his government.
Yours sincerely