May 22, 1951
Dear Mr. Fogarty:
I am enclosing a clipping from the Washington Post of February 24th, which may 
have been the basis for Mr. Keefe's concern about possible diversion of our 
Clinical Center to other uses. As I reported to your secretary last Friday, 
following your telephone request to Doctor Sebrell, we feel this whole business is 
rumor and, naturally, will take the strongest possible stand against any such 
diversion. I, for example, heard Commissioner Reynolds at a social gathering 
remark that the Clinical Center building would provide a large amount of space, 
and he inquired whether we would be able to utilize it. He was assured that the 
space was badly needed and would be utilized, and that is our firm position.
e surely appreciate your interest and support. We feel it would be a tragic 
miscarriage of judgment to diver this badly needed facility to purposes other than 
those for which it was planned and constructed.
Very sincerely yours,
[handwritten] Palmer Dearing
Acting Surgeon General