UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

DIVISION OF BOTANY
LOS ANGELES 24, CALIFORNIA

February 26, 1951

or, Joshua Lederberg
Department of Gensbics
University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, \isconsin

Sear Josh:

When I applied to the NRC and the PHS I stated two plans of
researen, one in Italy with Bugzzati and one in Texas with

Wagener. The second was included as an alternative in view of

the uncertain international situation. At that time I did

not lmow of the vossibility of working with you on bacterial
conebics. Because of these alternatives which IT have presented
to both the NRC and the PHS, 7 am now hesitant to vresent
another, lest it prejudice my apolication.

In reply to your third paracraph let me say that either a)
microbic antaconisms as isolating mechanisms, or c) genetic
diverzence would be preferable. J incline to the second
rather than the first.

Under the circumstances, and since my application to Public
Yealth has not yet come up for review, would you be willing
to aoproach Stone, asking whether it might be possible to
oresent this new alternative, outlining the vroject in a
seneral way to him. If he believes that such an action
would not prejudice my proposal, then I would submit a new
request in accordance with your outline.

In the event it is necessary for you to find the funds, I
would consider problem c) mentioned above as being the one in
which T would be most interested. As a minimum and perhaps
reasonable stipend I would consider 33600, the amount offered
for PHS Postdoctoral Fellows; anything in excess would not

pe unappreciated. I have no real distaste for any of the usual
sources of support. My only objection might be if there were
strings attached to the money, particularly with regard to
publication, Since my Predoctoral Fellowship has been sponsored
by the ASC, I have been cleared several times. In the event
that AEC money is used this may speed up matters,

“lizaneth has applied to Zoology and will hear from the
aoplication in *vril. She has excellent references and grades,
and she is quite serious in her desire to do sraduate work,
Vave you any suggestions as to what might be done with regard
to housing? Does the university have a housing office?

i sincerely hops that some supoort will be found for this
Y NOE pe

venture, for IT have become intensely interested and excited
about it.

Sincerely,

R.°. Levine

Pete If you consider it advisable pernaps you mirht write
CeJs Lapp at the NRC as well as Stone. The NRC Fellowship
Board has just recently met.