OCG Files Gen Corres MP Files Folder 23 A s sub MPC Minutes 13 Aug 43 mtg ACTIONS REPORTED 1 General Groves reported on the latest information received from abroad that the heavy water factory at Rjukan had been repaired by the end of April that the deliveries to Germany of heavy water had either beea resumed or would be resumed prior to the end of October that the Germans ' progressed so far that there is a possibility of using the material in the present war and that heavy water was absolutely necessary to them both for splitting the atom and in making up the explosive 2 2 Reported on the progress of the three processes a The work on the electromagnetic is going ahead on the schedule anticipated by General Groves which is about two to three weeks behind the schedule announced to all concerned The first unit has been turned over to Tennessee Eastman for operation The first racetracks should start to go into operation within a month Recent experimental work bas resulted in a decision to change the fifth racetrack to the two cold·sources to four hot sources It was agreed that if the four hot sources turned out as satisfactorily as the first information indicates they may consideration should be given to building additional racetracks beyond the presently planned five for production purposes b The diffusion process is proceeding satisfactorily with the exception that no definite solution bas been achieved for the barrier problem However results indicate that satisfactory although not ideal results can now be obtained even without further technical advances The present plans call for stopping this plant at approximately 36% purity although any purity ranging between 20% and 40% would be satisfactory and then processing the product through the elctromagentic plant which would be capable of taking the entire diffusion production th c The power plant is proceeding satisfactorily in accordance with the general schedule There has been some delay at Clinton in putting the semi-works plant into operation but this delay has been due primarily for the necessity of making this a true semi-works plant 3 The recent appeal to the White House by Irven Lowen representing certain dissatisfied elements in the Chicago Laboratory was discussed briefly 4 The system of vouching established at Los Alamos was reported to the Committee This system was established in view of the large number of persons essential to the Project who could not be properly cleared 1ooi for work of this character 5 The FAECT unioniz tion attempts at the University of California and their effects on security were reported It is not expected to make any open complaint by the Army to stop this unionization DECLASSIFIED Authority t 0 30 75 Q I DECISIONS 1 It is now felt that Szilard's patents can be purchased for approximately $25 000 It was agreed that this purchase should be made for -reasons of security It is possible that bis patents could be upset in a ___ long drawn out court procedure However from the standpoint of security of the present work and the morale of ali scientists concerned it is deemed advisable to pay him the sum of $25 000 which is believed to be sufficient and yet not too much to excite dissatisfaction 2 A review committee is being appointed at the request of Tennessee 1 Eastman to review the chemistry of the electromagnetic process • 3 The possibility of picking up enemy manufacturing plants by radar was discussed and it was agreed that the radar expert should be immediately consulted General Groves will get in touch with Dr Rabbi for this purpose 4 After a discussion of the problem it was agreed that all work should go ahead full blast despite the fact that there were still gaps in the scientific development 5 It was also agreed that it -was now time for the new report to be made to the President This report will be prepared immediately and cleared through the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of War and if he is available Vice President Wallace before submission to the President 6 sic It was agreed we should be ready with a detachment of scientists to search for information in the event of the fall of Italy or the capture of a reasonable pofition of the Italian peninsula '-' s LR Groves L R GROVES Brigadier General c PRESENT Dr Bush Dr Conant Admiral Purnell Brigadier General Groves Major General Styer E 2 DECLASSIFIED Authority f 0 0 75