Dr. Beck and I would appreciate it very much if in the near future you will arrange a conference which would include not only administrative personnel from N. C. State College, but also the President and Controller of the University and a representative from the Budget Department. The purpose of a sug- gested conference would be to consider and approve a plan of action for the con- struction of the Nuclear Engineering Building, including the Nuclear Reactor.

The financial situation at the present time seems to be as follows: approx- imately $200,000 from the Burlington Mills, and in the neighborhood of $95,000 from state appropriations or $295,000 to complete the building and the Reactor. Estimates of construction costs indicate that the building will cost approx- imately $300,000 and the Reactor $125,000. These values include all engineering and architectural fees. It is sincerely hoped that the actual cost wil be less than the estimation, but it is certainly evident that more money will be needed to complete the project than is now on hand. I am sure, however, that this fact has been realized from the very first.

On April 9, the Architect has promised us complete plans for the Reactor and the part of the building it will occupy. On May 14, we will have final plans for the building. There are three specific problems to which we here in the School of Engineering need instruction and direction from the administration: (1) A suggestion that the Architect contact contractors with requests for prices on construction, in spite of the seeming lack of sufficient funds to cover the estimated price. (2) It may be desirable to construct the entire building in two phases: (a) That section which includes the Reactor and (b) the rest of the construction, including the laboratory and service facilities The members of our Physics Department are doing the engineering work in connection with the Reactor and it is evident that if we are to move ahead that this activity be underway this spring, in order that they can give their full time and attention to it over the summer. In this way the building and the Reactor would be largely completed by the time school starts in the fall. It for this reason thut it may be desirable to undertake the construc- tion of the project in two phases rether than wait for completion of the plans by May 15.