Summary of Significant Correspondence Relating to Fellowship Program

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SUMMARY OF SIGN.TFICANT CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO FELLOWSHIP PHOGUM 27 July 1948 Letter Dr. Broink toMr. Viilson Expresses hope of NRC Fellowship Boards that a man should not 'De barred from participation in fellowship program because he cannot be cleared. .... Serious obstacles would be encountered with un fort mate consequences ifthe mere part ici - pation i n a,-ademic study and research under these fellowships were made conditional upon security Points out that adding a few non-clearable fellows to pool of scientific personnel would not be without benefits. Makes it clear that access to restricted data would require clearance. 30 July 1948 Letter Senator Hickenlooper toMr.Lilienthal Raises question of investigations prior to purpose of fellowship program is to establish nucleus of 'Itrained individuals" who will increase the general knowledge in scientific fields and a t the same time provide a pool from which some indi - viduals could be drawn to active employment on the atomic energy program.I' Requests statement of Views of AE2 concerning subsidizing, with government furds, "the education of a potential subversive who i s not eligible for employment on the atomic energy 24 hug. 1948 Letter Mr. Pike t o Senator;Hickenlooper States complete report in response t o above (Seew ill be available after meeting Stptember. October 11 letter below) 8 Oct. 1948 Letter MI-, Vllson t o Dr. Bronk "After careful. consideration of this matter, the Comission has determined that,in accordance with y3ur recamendation, security clearance should not be roquired unless the fellow will have access to restricted data or will work ina Comission installation where security clearance i s normally tion indicates that clearance will be rewired, it i s suggested that no award be made until the outcone of the security investigation is kno-m. Commission will, of course, continue t o look to the National Research Council t o make appropriate inquiry, i n accordance with your regular practice, into the character of the persons who apply for the !!In addition, it i s our view that in tlx even% there is a prospective fellow who has a questionable record, we should consider together with you the most appropriate action to be taken in the light of all the circumstances of the case."

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11 Oct. 1948 Letter MI-. Lilienthal to Senator Hickenloopcr Lists members of 5 NRC Fcllowship Bcerds chosen '!to evaluate scientific promise and moral character of prospective fellows .'I States usual AEC security clearance must be obtained before any fellow i s given access to restricted data. need not be obtained if fellow has no access t o restricted data, o r does not work on a Commission project where security clearance normally required, f o r reasons as follows: a ) AEC has confidence in selection methods of b ) To large extent work under fellowships would not involve restricted data. c ) Heavy administrative burden of clearances skems inadvisable except where it will genuinely ,serve interests of security. Admits poss ' i bil it y of fdlqw being barred from certain work after receiving fell om hip. firm conviction that more qualified fellows md fuller cooperation from Scientific community will result, than i f clearances required for all. Points out saving of costs. Describes case (unmed) of f cllow transferred from Berkeloy to hospital where no possible questions of security involved, because security chcck showed 1 2 Jan. '1949 Letter Senator Hickenlooper toMr,Lilienthal Refers to investigation of some fellOwShip applicants during interim period before estoblishpent of above policy, and t o " substantial derogatory information which hcls been disclosed upon some of the card i dates who were subsequently authorized to receive government stipends d pea if ic ally toE dehn as potentially subversive. ExpPesses personal opinion that Itexpenditure of - tjoverrxnent funds for the education of a Communist i s indefensible and could ees i ly subject our atomic