YALE UNIVERSITY
OSBORN BOTANICAL LABORATORY
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

28 August 1951

Dr e E -L eo Tatum
Department of Biology
‘Stanford University
Stanford,California

Dear Ed:

I am writing to enquire whether you are looking for a post
doctorate man for next year. The man in question is Gabriel
Lester, who got his degree this spring. He has worked on
lactase in coli-parental and mutants, and I can certainly
endorse him as being technically the best man I have had.
Even Dr. Fruton concurs. He is additionally able intel-
lectually.

He was slated to go with me to Oak Ridge, but it now seems
virtually certain that he cannot be cleared. This is through
no doubt of his loyalty or discreetness; rather the activities
of some of his family make his "associations" doubtful. Thus
I am trying to find hima job, and thought you might be
interested in some one working on the gene-enzyme problem in
coli. Reaume knows him and probably could tell you of him.

If you could let me know jgast whether there is a possibility
with you I would appreciate it.

My own status is ambiguous. The first of the month I went to
Oak Ridge for my trial. Had it 2 August, and I understand
they are still typing the franascript, ca 600 pages of testi-
mony taken down. Beets kindly came‘in from Pasadena to

serve as a witness for the accused, and I took Henry Bunting
from here. Trial started at 9:50 am and went on until 8 pm.
Very interesting affair, and I must say I found out much

that was mighty interesting -- chief of which was the fact
that Sinnott, ef all my Yale colleagues, was alone in
championing my catses He wrote the finest testimonial in

my behalf, with strength and conviction. As you probably
realize, the hearing was occasioned solely from Yale accusations.
Will relate it for you some day. I am fairly confident I will
be cleared, but probably won't know for a week or so.

As I said, primarily this letter is an attempt to locate Lester.

By the way, I see you still wonder about our_use of the English
language. Charlie just got a MS back from\B.C. with the hand-
writing so familiar on many a paper of mine. I trust you like
our NlO paper better this time.

Best regards to all.

pt
ave