5 March 1954

Dr. S. B. Hendricks

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Soil and Water Conservation Research Branch

Beltsville, Maryland

Dear Sterling:

I am glad to have your letter of 3 March.

As to Todd, I myself feel that he has done such important work in the nucleic acid field that we should try to get him to come to the symposium, if funds are available. Of course, Todd might well not be able to accept the invitation, but at any rate we could invite him, if we want him.

One point that you might want to discuss with Bronk is that Todd is such an outstanding English scientist that the Academy might prefer to have him give a Pilgrim Lecture at some time in the future, and the invitation to him now might preclude his being selected for the Pilgrim Lectureship.

As to Kalckar, and Heppel, I myself tend to support Kalckar, although I do not know enough about Heppel’s work to make a real decision. I have not been able to get in touch with Watson today, and accordingly I am writing to you without having his opinions. If he feels differently, we shall write to you on Monday.

Also, I shall ask Watson to let you know what his title is after he and Crick have discussed the matter together.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling:W