Home
Search transcripts:    Advanced Search
Notable New     Yorkers
Select     Notable New Yorker

Mary LaskerMary Lasker
Photo Gallery
Transcript

Part:         Session:         Page of 999

Lasker:

Yes, they have the money. They have the authority. Anybody would be grateful for anything they did. But, you know, very few people want to get anything done fast. It seems somehow vulgar to want to have anything done quickly. They don't know how to get at it.

Q:

Perhaps they wouldn't be considered to have done it thoroughly if they did it quickly. Is that the idea?

Lasker:

Premature. Tha's the worst way you can do anything -- prematurely.

Q:

(laughs) Well, I'm glad to know that they're at least promising now that they're going to coordinate the whole effort, because it's such a vast attempt now and so much money is being spent and so much effort.

Lasker:

Well, fortunately it's not being spent for the materials by the American Cancer Society. Everything is gotten free from Hoffmanca Roche. They've been giving this stuff to them. Of course, they'll make money beyond the dreams of avarice from it if it comes out positive.

Q:

Exactly. So on their part. . .

Lasker:

It's enlightened self-interest.





© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help