RESTRICTED

OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NATIONAL DEFENSE RESEARCH COMMITTEE

OF THE

OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

1530 P STREET NW.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

September 4, 1942

Dr. Reuben Wood

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena California

Dear Reuben:

I am sorry to hear from your letter that the manufacture of the instruments is not proceeding so well as we had hoped. I have written to Dr. Beckman, urging him to improve the situation, and, in particular, suggesting that he make use of your services for a while. I think that it is important that he put the instruments out on schedule, and although I do not want your research program to be interrupted for long, perhaps it will be necessary for you to help him out.

Holmes and I visited the Naval Research Laboratory and got a hood bit of information regarding the Navy rebreather and the way in which our instrument should be adapted to it. We saw the new submarine model which had arrived safely but had not yet been subject to any tests. Also they had not yet carried out any of the shock tests that are planned. I am glad to learn about the satisfactory performance that you observed in the Vengeance dive bomber.

I am writing to Sargent, suggesting that he plan to leave his present job and take up his new worth with Dr. Buchman as soon as Dr. Beckman will let him go, preferably somewhat before the end of September. I have mentioned this to Dr. Beckman several times, and have mentioned it again in my last letter to him.

I do not know how to get in touch with D.r Garvey S. Frank. If you have his address, please let me have it, and let me know also if you l arn anything about his plans.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:do

I shall now be at 1530 P St. NW, Washington D.C. for a few days.