Collections : [Columbia University Archives]

This sub-series is composed of correspondence files originating from various offices and personnel within the Division of Government Aided Research. The sub-series is arranged alphabetically by folder title and then chronologically where applicable. An index to the correspondence for 1944-1945 alphabetical correspondence files is also included. War Filing – Alpha 1944-1945 consists of alphabetically and chronologically arranged correspondence regarding contracts (funding, termination of, extension of, amendments to), personnel issues (salaries, appointments and terminations), compensation, activities on campus (military training), space issues (including restoration of space to the University from military), new selective service issues and deferment of Columbia employees. Reports found in these files include two from James Kip Finch, one regarding Engineering, Science, and Management War Training activities from July 1, 1943 to June 30, 1944 and a final report of the War Training Program at C.U. dated 24 March 1945. Information regarding classification of documents and research and Trustee minutes reporting on completed contracts and lists of people involved (Oct. 2, 1944, Dec 4, 1944, May 7, 1945) are also included. Correspondence of note includes: letters with General Electric regarding contract work, correspondence concerning the New London Labs, Professor Edwin Matzke correspondence of 27-29 September 1944 concerning the return of valuables in storage to campus, and correspondence with the War Manpower Commission. Also addressed is the restoration of SAM Labs space (found in "M-S" file) and the restoration of Chandler Museum to the University.

This sub-series contains documents and correspondence related to the personnel clearance of individuals (both men and women) involved in government aided/sponsored research conducted under the auspices of Columbia University. The materials are very much of a routine nature, consisting primarily of form letters and completed applications. Among the types of documents found in these files are: oaths of secrecy, patent agreements, signed copies of The Espionage Act, personal information/qualification records, letters/memos regarding salary and appointments (some note the number of the government contract), cross reference memos and termination certificates. There is sometimes other kinds of correspondence, such as letters advocating deferment from selective service, accounts and analysis of expenses/salary, reimbursement, and library privileges.

These files are similar in nature to the individual personnel clearance files described previously with some significant differences. The files are arranged in general alphabetical files ("A" names all in one file instead of a file for each individual), are exclusively associated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and consist solely of the signed documents required of people involved in government aided research. The forms included are the Oath of Secrecy, Espionage Act, and Patent Agreement. There are usually notations on the top right corner of the form(s) indicating which government contract the person was working on and/or the name of the person/group for whom the signee was working. The documents are arranged alphabetically within each file.

This sub-series is divided into two groupings, war filing and personnel clearance. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) war filing is comprised of chronological correspondence with Frank D. Fackenthal regarding contracts for war research, occasionally discussing research topics, the status of contracts and reports about research findings. Files also consist of telegrams and letters, "administrative circulars" from the OSRD (e.g., concerning the employment of aliens on classified contracts or subcontracts). Of particular interest is a January, 1946 list of report titles providing a good list of the kinds of projects sponsored by OSRD and a February 14, 1946 letter to Dr. Stewart from Fackenthal thanking him for the attached statement to the Special Senate Committee on Atomic Energy which includes positive references to Columbia University (statement is dated Feb 11, 1946). The Personnel Clearance Files consist of routine correspondence regarding approval of individuals for OSRD work. Correspondence is directed to Frank D. Fackenthal. Names of individuals are listed in the letters, but not what they were working on.

These files are similar to the personnel clearance files found in sub-series I.2, I.3 and I.4 but are all files for individuals who worked in non-scientific capacities at the Airborne Instruments Laboratory in Mineola, NY (Long Island). The files only cover personnel with last names that fall between the letter "O" and the letter "Z". There are four files at the end of box 10 which are alphabetically out of order as they are for four individuals who were considered "non-employees" or "consultants". Files contain all or some of the following items: ID cards, photographs and photonegatives, security questionnaires, applications, letters of reference, termination letters, employment certificates, selective service information, birth certificates, fingerprints, personal information, correspondence concerning the individual, and summaries of the file contents. Some of the documents look to be slightly damaged by water or bugs. There is a one page index found at the beginning of box 9 which describes this series of files.

This sub-series is similar to the personnel clearance files found in Series I, but these files are different and have consequently been kept as an independent series. The contract work these files deal with spans both the wartime and post-war periods. The folders have been kept in the order they were originally found (which at times seems to be loosely based on the contract numbers involved) as have the contents of the files. In addition to the usual preservation measures, most of the original file folders were photocopied to retain information about the contract number, found on the folder tab, or handwritten notes on the folder itself. Original file names were kept; new ones were created only if the original was non-existent or inappropriate to the contents. The majority of the files are personnel files. Contents include signed forms, letters of reference, fingerprints, tax information, salary information, grade lists, family and other personal information and termination notices. Interestingly, there are even personnel clearance records for construction workers and maintenance workers who had jobs in Pupin and other buildings where much of this top secret war work was taking place. In addition to personnel files, there are also files containing general lists for the various research groups, requisition forms (for both employees and materials), salary recommendation forms, blank forms used by the people involved in this work, salary lists, and a book listing badge numbers. Much of the materials appear to be associated with atomic research or the Atomic Energy Commission. Contract numbers referred to within these files are: AT-30-2-GEN-16 (subcontracts S-165 and S-162); EIDM MI-4 MS; EIDM I-1 CU; W7405-eng-50 (referred to very heavily); W-31-109 eng17; EIDM D-22; EIDM-AA-1 CU; AT-30-1 GEN-72; AT-30-1 GEN-70; W-31-109 eng15; AT-30-1-GEN-257; W-31-109 eng14.

The records in this sub-series ar related exclusively to Contract W-7405-eng-50. This records from the Manhattan Engineering District (Columbia University) represent the work on nuclear research that would lead to a cooperative laboratory with the other research universities in the North East, now known as the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The records are organized by the government established categories, then alphabetically. The wartime records were declassified in 1955.

The records in this sub-series relate to the various government contracts conducted at Columbia University. The records are organized by the government established categories, then alphabetically.