History and Archives

I can't wait to resign. We know now that every resignation gives us two more million dollars.

Yesterday when Phil set up this meeting, I went to the Batavia Public Library and found a book called 'Speeches for New Lab Directors.'

I leafed through it and found a lot of stories and phrases I want to share with you.

There was one that said: 'I stand before you with deep humility in this great institution, fill in blank!

Or, 'Awed as I am by the magnitude of the task before me,' (fill in task) or, 'I need your support, prayers, willingness to work long hours for meager pay,' (get that meager pay); or, 'This laboratory's great because of you, the blank employees,' you've made it great and together we will make it even greater.'

Or, I can only hope that I can live up to the high standards set by my illustrious predecessor Dr. Blank.

The preceding phrases are pompous: they're platitudes, they border on the... I have to watch my language, but that doesn't mean they aren't true... The fellow that wrote the book collected these sentiments going all the way back to George Washington who took over 13 labs back east sometime ago.

But that last statement about 'my illustrious predecessor,' that's too much. And, in order to set the record straight, I'd like to read you something that's worth doing. It's a letter to Bob (Wilson) signed by the Users Executive Committee, the customers of the Laboratory.

Excerpts from the letter include:

"(Dr. Wilson) we learned with regret of your decision to leave the directorship at Fermilab."

"...the experimental physicists... recognize and appreciate fully the profound influence you have had in creating a singular laboratory in which physics can be carried out at the forefront of knowledge."

"Any view of the Laboratory demonstrates your own commitment to science in an atmosphere of creativity. Innovative ideas were forged into research tools which do the job better, more efficiently, and at less cost."

"The quality of the atmosphere in which research is done, the special Fermilab style of choosing problems and attacking them, the electric feeling that permeates the air when important goals are being attacked, and that special satisfaction on successful completion are directly due to your influence."

"For the physical plant, for the important tools of research, and for the unique atmosphere of Fermilab, we thank you. In addition, we presume to thank you for the generations of Fermilab experimenters who will do research there in the future. We wish you pleasure and success in your future endeavors, and especially encourage you to continue your important efforts at the Laboratory in bringing the Tevatron to fruition."

The meeting concluded with a question session. Lederman said a deputy director will be appointed.