CONFIDENTIAL

April 2, 1945

AIR MAIL

Dr. Roger Adams

1703 - 32nd Street NW

Washington 25, D.C.

Dear Roger:

I am glad to make a statement, in answer to your letter of March 29, about the matter of research in interior ballistics.

The statement made by the Army and inclosed [sic] in your letter reads as follows:

"Problem 2 a. Interior Ballistics. The complex and difficult field of interior ballistic sis one where the best of scientific talent and methods can be profitably employed. Certain specific lines of investigation are indicated in this problem, and may be amplified as follows. Studies in powder composition indicate that erratic pressures can be eliminated, and smooth pressure - time curves obtained, by the addition of certain catalysts to the powder. Various potassium salts have given promising results, but the investigation should be continued and extended to other metals. Further research is desirable in the rate of burning, in the surface temperature of burning powder, and in the composition of gases found in the early stages of nitrocellulose decomposition."

It is my opinion that the problems mentioned in this statement are worthy of attention by the Research Board for National Security. I feel, however, that there are many other problems dealing with interior ballistics which are still more important, and which should be given very thorough attention, for the sake of the security of the Nation. The following list of fifteen problems is not exhaustive.

1. The development of cannon powders with greatly decreased flash and decreased smoke. Cordite N, which contains nitroguanidine, has very promising properties, and it might be possible to formulate flashless powders which are still better.

2. The development of cannon powders with high potential and low adiabatic flame temperature, giving the possibility of considerably increased muzzle velocity and range with decreased erosion. Very great improvement in the performance of cannon might be obtained by the formulation of powders containing nitramine explosives, such as nitroguanidine or cycolnite, or other explosives with relatively large gas volume and small heat of explosion.

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3. The study of the mechanism of erosion in relation to the nature of the propellant, the nature of the gun (chromium plate, design of rifling, etc.), and the nature of the projectile (pre-engraving, etc.).

4. The development of cannon powders with low dependence of burning rate on the initial temperature of the propellant, giving decreased dispersion.

5. The study of the design of grains, including strip powder, long tubular grains, and grains of possible novel design, with respect both to performance and to ease of manufacture.

6. The study of structurally composite powders, consisting of grains composed of two or more powders of different formulation, with design such as to confer on the composite powder the desirable characteristics of each of the constituent powders.

7. The thorough investigation of possible new powder constituents, (such as DSGN, DINA, Fivonite, Cyclonite, PETH).

8. The thorough study of nitrocellulose, with reference to molecular weight and degree of nitration in relation to viscosity, the effect of blending on mechanical properties of powders, and the mechanics of plasticization and stabilization, including the search for improved platicizers and stabilizers.

9. The development of improved rocket powder for dry extrusion, especially in large grains. The powder should be superior to ballistite, cordite, and other existent rocket powders with respect to having high potential, low dependence of burning rate on ambient temperature and on operating pressure, and mechanical properties such as to permit high loading densities and the use of tubular grains without danger of break-up, eliminating the necessity of complicated granulation such as cruciform.

10. The development of an improved high potential rocket powder with small web, for use in the rocket grenade and similar weapons. The powder should be superior to the present solvent extruded stick powder with respect to its temperature and pressure coefficient, giving a wider range of operating ambient temperature, and eliminating blast.

11. The development of improved end-burning grains for assistant take off and other special uses.

12. The development of special powders with high burning rates- 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 times that of ballistite, permitting the design of rockets with very high performance. These powders could be incorporated with other powders in structurally composite propellants, in such a way as to give the structurally composite propellant the desired burning rate.

13. The search for new explosives and other substances for use in special propellants for special purposes, such as for long range missiles.

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14. The study of new types of propellants and techniques of manufacturing-plastic propellant, molded propellant, cast propellant, etc., with special reference to large grains.

15. The study of igniters and other auxiliaries.

Some of this work could be done effectively in the Government arsenals and Naval powder factories, some by the powder companies, and some only by University scientists.

I believe that, in addition to the study of detailed problems in interior ballistics, a thorough investigation of certain broad questions should be made. for example, the matter of the standard Navy powder for big guns should be reconsidered. There has been essentially no change in this standard Navy powder, pyro powder, for forty years. This powder is a solvent-extruded nitrocellulose powder stabilized with disphenylamine, and usually used as multiperforated short grains. For some uses the grains are stacked by hand in a regular manner, and inclosed [sic] in powder bags. It is possible that this standard Navy powder should be replaced by a new powder, which might have higher potential, giving longer range, might have a lower erosion, give less flash and less smoke, and might be in the form of long single perforated tubes which could be stacked together easily and tied with cord. The study of the possibilities and the securing of sufficient data to permit a sound decision would probably require a ten year program.

I shall be in Washington on April 12, to attend a meeting of the Medical Advisory Committee. I shall then go to the Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory in Cumberland, Maryland for a meeting on April 13 and 14, and shall return to Washington from the 15th to the 18th, in order to attend a meeting of the Research Board for National Security on April 18. Please let me know if you would like to discuss these matters with me.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:fh

SECRET

April 3, 1945

AIR MAIL

Dr. Louis Jordan, Executive Officer

Research Board for National Security

2101 Constitution Avenue

Washington 25, D.C.

Dear Dr. Jordan:

I send herewith a brief reply to your letter of 27 March 1945. I am leaving in a few days for the East, where I shall attend the meeting on April 18 of the Research Board for National Security, and also take care of some other matters. I do not have time before leaving to prepare for you a detailed statement about the field of research referred to in your letter. If this brief reply to your letter is not satisfactory, please let me know, and I shall write a detailed and documented statement as soon as the available time allows.

The problem about the dynamic properties of materials is given in your letter as described by the Navy in the following terms:

"The fundamental relationship of the atomic structure of metals to their dynamic properties is an important study from the standpoint of producing metals having higher resistance to impact. This, in turn, is an essential item in the construction of superior instruments of warfare, particularly armor, projectiles, and guns where the rates of loading are far in excess of those normally encountered in the civilian use of metals. The subject of the interpretation of the physical properties of metals in terms of the atomic and electronic structure is a very important and difficult one on which relatively little progress has been made until quite recently. Now, however, the field is opening up and the interest amongst physicists and theoretical metallurgists is greatly on the increase. It is believed that the state of the civilian art and the attack on the problem by scientific groups will produce a great increase in our understanding of this field within the next 5 to 10 years. After such progress has been made, it might be well for RBNS to attack the specific problem, having direct military indication of interpreting the behavior of metals under very high rates of loading in terms of the fundamental knowledge which will have been accumulated by that time. This particular subject may not be adequately handled by the civilian art."

The opinion given in this statement agrees very closely with my own opinion. It is true that for many years very little progress was

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made in the correlation of the physical properties of metals with their composition and structure, but in recent years the development of the electronic theory of metal and the experimental determination of the atomic arrangement in crystals of metals, intermetallic compounds, and other alloys has led to striking progress. A satisfactory correlation between the physical properties of metals and alloys and the electronic and atomic structure of the material has not yet been made in general, but I believe that it can be expected that an intensive attack on this problem during the coming decade should provide very important results. There is in my opinion a good chance that ten years from now theoretical considerations based on electronic and atomic theory may be used as an aid in the formulation of alloys with physical properties superior to those of any material now available.

The United States is at present behind the European countries in cultivating this field of research. I recommend for the consideration of the Research Board for National Security the following suggestions:

1. An empirical attack, by the customary metallurgical and metallographical techniques, on the problem of formulating alloys with special properties necessary for certain applications for the national security, such as increased resistance to impact. I suggest that Dr. Zay Jeffries be asked to recommend the persons or agencies that could do this work best.

2. Attack on the problem of the relation between physical properties of metals and electronic structure. I suggest Dr. Frederick Seitz, Jr., Chairman of the Department of Physics of the Carnegie Institute of Technology, for this work.

3. The experimental investigation, with use of X-rays and other techniques, of the atomic arrangement in intermetallic compounds and solid solutions, and the theoretical study of the nature of the interatomic forces which find expression in the formation of intermetallic compounds. During the past fifteen years very extensive experimental investigations with X-rays of the structure of intermetallic compounds and other alloys have been made. This work has been done by Sir Lawrence Bragg, A.J. Bradley, and other investigators in England, A. Westgren, G. Phrgmen, and G. Hagg in Sweden, and a number of investigators in German. Very little work along these lines has been carried on in America. Although a great amount of information has been obtained, still more work remains to be done, and it is to be expected that further work will be of much greater practical importance than that which had already been carried out. It is to be regretted that no outstanding crystal structure investigator in this country is carrying on work in the field of metals. I think that it would be wise for the RENS to make some arrangements for first class work along these lines to be carried out in this country. Another field in which great fundamental progress may be made is that of the discovery of the nature of the forces determining the composition of intermetallic compounds. The gamma alloys in the brasses,

[3]

bronzes, aluminum bronzes, and related systems illustrate the peculiar character of intermetallic compounds. All of these alloys are similar in their physical properties, but their chemical compositions are surpizingly [sic] different; representatives are CU₅ZN₈, CU₉AL₄, CU₃₁SN₈, and FE₅ZN₂₁. Other sets of intermetallic compounds with similar properties are also known, and a few regularities in their composition have been discerned. However, the general principles determining the composition and the choice of alternative structures by intermetallic compounds have not yet been formulated. the chemical theory of metals is at present in an embryonic state. The development of a sound fundamental theory of the chemistry of metals should lead to very important practical consequences.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:fh

April 4, 1945

Dr. H. B. Sweatt, Director

Animal Glue Information Service

55 West 42nd Street

New York 18, New York

Dear Dr. Sweatt:

Several of my colleagues and I are interested in the field referred to in your letter of March 9. Professor Carl Niemann, for example, was associated some years ago with Dr. Bergmann of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in the development of an interesting new theory of the ordering of immunoacids in protein. Dr. H. B. Corey and I have for some time been carrying on fundamental studies of protein structure, with use of X-ray methods and other techniques. Recently Professor Dan H. Campbell and I, in collaboration with other members of our department, have been modifying gelatin by chemical treatment in order to produce a material for use as a plasma substitute. We also have an extensive program under way on the properties of the protein materials which constitute antibody.

After the war it is probable that these investigations will be continued, with still greater attention to the fundamental problems of protein structure.

I trust that this answers the question which you asked in your letter.

Very truly yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:fh

cc to Dr. Dan H. Campbell

7:30 PM Thursday, on the train

to Cumberland [?]

Dearest love:

There is a rumor on this train that President Roosevelt dropped dead at 5:35 this afternoon in Warm Springs. I hope it isn't true - but I'm afraid that it has been checked now by telegraph. A staggering loss to the world. I'm not afraid of Truman - I think that he will do a good honest job - but he isn't Roosevelt.

We interviewed a big crowd today, and Bush this afternoon. I wonder if our report will now go to Truman.

Last night we had an arousing experience. We arrived at our hotel from the station, 4 of us, and found that our reserved rooms had not been kept. We protested vigorously, and finally the manager said they had one room not usually rented and would put up 4 beds in it. This was done and we went to bed. At 12:30 AM the phone rang - 4 others of the group had no space! I called Sterling, and sent Ed & Mrs. Doisy out there - and I called our desk clerk, and finally browbeat him into having two more beds put in one room!

A few more hours and my trip will

be half over! I love you.

Your

Paddy

[A picture sketched by LP is to the bottom left of the letter. It is of a room with six squares representing beds. Each bed has a name on it; Paddy, Homer, (the rest are Illegible). There is also a bathroom sketched to the side of the room.]

Friday, 11PM

Dearest love:

I adore you, sweetheart. I'll be glad to be with you. I hope that everything has been going all right.

The rumor was right - the President is dead.

I've spent the day in meetings and conferences on powder [?] - and the evening too. I'll go to bed now. Tomorrow Gibson will drive me to Washington in his car, so I shant have to make the train trip. Oscar & Henry Eyring & Hammett, among others, are here.

I love you and the children.

Your

Paddy

11 PM, Saturday, April 14, 1945

Dearest wife:

I arrived in Washington at eight this evening; and at 10 I stood, with hundreds of thousands of other people, and saw the body of the President being borne in a solemn procession on the way to its final resting place.

Dr. Gibson brought me in his car from Cumberland - a beautiful three-hour drive through the mountains, green and colorful with spring flowers, and over the Ridge. The beautiful buildings of Washington are especially striking.

I love you.

Your own

Paddy

[The Burlington Hotel letterhead]

9 PM Sunday

Dearest Love:

Three more days in Washington, and then I'll start home to you. I wish that I were on the chief going through Azusa, and due in Pasadena in 37 minutes. I adore you.

I decided to take things easy today. I had read a detective story last night, after viewing the burial procession, and I slept until 11 this morning. I had breakfast, read the Sunday paper, and at 2 went to the National Gallery of Art. It is wonderful. There are on display some unbelievable etchings by Giovanni Battisti Piranesi, the "Rembrandt of Architecture", 1720-1778, called "Imaginary Prisons". They are big- about 18" x 32" - and portray the interiors of great masonry buildings- prisons- with arches, immense columns, stairways. Also I saw "The Adoration of the Magi", Botticelli; Self-Portrait; Lorenzo di Credi; Venus with Mirror, Titian, Madonna and child, Philippo Lippi; Girl at Window with Duenna, Murillo; and many wonderful things by El Greco, Renoir, Gauguin, Goya, ---. At 6 my feet were in bad shape, and I started home. I stopped at the French restaurant for dinner- mushroom omelet, with soup sauterue (from Portugal- not so good as ours); and now I am reading a detective story "Farewell my Lovely".

I received your first letter, but no others.

Your

Paddy

Monday night

Dear love:

I received several letters today-but none from you. I spent the day at the Academy (with the CMR on oxypoly-gelatin) and the Navy building.

Dr Guest again asked me to dinner, and Dr Newburgh of Ann Arbor, whose son is the ill boy who wrote the paper on drinking water and taking salt for nephritis.

Tomorrow night is the last before I start home.

Love to you and the itzies.

Paddy

[Letter from AHP to LP]

Friday April 23^rd

1945 [this line added later by LP]

Dearest Paddy:

Just this minute I received a call from the Southern Pacific office saying that they were holding a piece of luggage in San Francisco which had a check to "Mrs. Peter Pauling" in it and could I identify this bag over the telephone. I said I certainly could and told him about the letter which I had written. Apparently Mr. Martin is no good. I was afraid I should have gone over. We have all been doing a song and dance.

We are all well. I have been having a slight fever with my little ^^bladder [this note added by LP] infection - just enough to give me a becoming, youthful maidenly flush. The temperature is nearly normal this morning, and I an sticking to hot milk

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so I expect to be all right in a day or so.

I "graduated" last Wednesday night in my Air Raid Warden capacity. There was a celebration at Wilson Jr. High. I now have my certificate. When I get my First Aid "' and my auxiliary Fire Woman " I'll be an accomplished " at last. I have been busy.

Everything seems to be going long. Miss Uhrlaub [?] called a few days ago for your address which I gave her. I also called on her Saturday. I saw Mrs. Noyes, too, on Wednesday and said we would see them again when you return.

I have interviewed the people in this war employment place. I want to work at the Observatory if I can though. The papers are full of advertisements now for workers for this split shift

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business. I believe only for men, though, but undoubtedly more and more employers will take advantage of that arrangement and women will be eligible, too.

We haven't had guards until today - and there is a beautiful young boy here today - the first one who has had any education. He is singing with the children, he looks so nice and good, like the best boys at Cal Tech. The children are enchanted. Crellie told him about the live shells and Peter is going to return the full box to him. He said it should be returned, dear old little Pete! Linda has a holiday today, too. Good Friday - If I felt more fit we would all go on a binge but I think I'd better stick to my milk diet.

I went to tea with Zeckmeister

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last Sunday - at Mrs. Baileys [sic] - There has been a lot of goings on. I took an examination in First Aid yesterday. Also saw some nice experiments at the fire station. How little women know about these simple facts of combustion. Even Lucia Edwards can't understand why phophorus burns in the air but magnesium burns only at a temperature of 3026° or so. She asked what to do if a piece of burning Mg got embedded in your arm say [sic]. Captain Weitz is just sweet and says "ignition."

I hope you are well and enjoying your good times. Have a good trip home. Give my love to Milton and Dorcas. I hope this reaches you. I think it will.

Love and kisses -

Your soon to be

accomplished wife - Ava Helen Pauling

April 25, 1945

Dr. T. Addis

Stanford University

School of Medicine

2398 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Tom:

I have found your letter on returning from the East. As soon as I can get in touch with Carl Anderson and the other two men I shall answer it.

Campbell and I had quite a conference with the Committee on Medical Research in Washington. I think that they will give us permission to go ahead immediately to manufacture some larger lots of Oxypolygelatin, and that we can have some preparations ready in a month or two. We have put in an application for an extension of our contract.

I was interested to see your March report to the CMR. They seem to have lost interest in hemoglobin and globin.

I think that your letter to me about the organization of Federal aid to medical research served a useful purpose. Your suggestions were taken into consideration by the Committee in formulating its report. The report of the Committee will, I think, not be released until after it has been considered by the President. Perhaps, however, an earlier draft (later than the one that you have seen) will be sent out to the Medical School.

Cordially yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:fh

April 30, 1945

Dr. T. Addis

Stanford University

School of Medicine

2398 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, California

Dear Tom:

I delayed answering your letter of April 14 with the thought that I might have some discussions with W. S. Adams, Carl Anderson, and B. Gutenberg about Russia. I have not found it convenient to do this, however, and so I am writing to you to give you my opinion in general.

Adams, Anderson, and Gutenberg are all men of open mind and unusual intellectual capacity. It would be my opinion that no one of these men is prejudiced, and that each could be expected to have an open mind about Russia. I must repeat, however, that this opinion is based upon my general acquaintance with the men, and not on any specific discussion about Russia with them.

Cordially yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:fh