PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S LETTER 



The White House 

 Washington, D. C. 

 November 17, 1944 



Dear Dr. Bush: 



The Office of Scientific Research and Development, of which you are the 

 Director, represents a unique experiment of team-work and cooperation in 

 coordinating scientific research and in applying existing scientific knowledge 

 to the solution of the technical problems paramount in war. Its work has 

 been conducted in the utmost secrecy and carried on without public recog- 

 nition of anv kind; but its tangible results can be found in the communiques 

 coming in from the battlefronts all over the world. Some day the full story 

 of its achievements can be told. 



There is, howe\er, no reason whv the lessons to be found in this experi- 

 ment cannot be profitablv employed in times of peace. The information, the 

 techniques, and the research experience developed by the Office of Scientific 

 Research and Development and bv the thousands of scientists in the uni- 

 versities and in private industry, should be used in the days of peace ahead 

 for the improvement of the national health, the creation of new enterprises 

 bringing new jobs, and the betterment of the national standard of living. 



It is with that objectixe in mind that I would like to ha\'e your recom- 

 mendations on the following four major points: 



First: What can be done, consistent with military security, and with the 

 prior approval of the military authorities, to make known to the world as 

 soon as possible the contributions which have been made during our war 

 effort to scientific knowledge? 



The diffusion of such knowledge should help us stimulate new enterprises, 

 provide jobs for our returning servicemen and other workers, and make pos- 

 sible great strides for the improvement of the national well-being. 



Second: With particular reference to the war of science against disease, 

 what can be done now to organize a program for continuing in the future 

 the work which has been done in medicine and related sciences? 



The fact that the annual deaths in this country from one or two diseases 

 alone are far in excess of the total number of lives lost by us in battle during 

 this war should make us conscious of the duty we owe future generations. 

 Third: What can the Government do now and in the future to aid research 

 activities by public and pri\'ate organizations? The proper roles of public and 

 of private research, and their interrelation, should be carefully considered. 



