March 7, 1961 - Linus Pauling Day-by-Day

Letter from Bette Hood to LP, RE: Hood and the British Columbia Committee for Radiation Hazards would be happy to circulate 500 copies of the appeal. Hood wishes LP the best of luck in his efforts for peace. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Dr. Walter M. Meier, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to LP, RE: Meier’s mordenite paper is taking more time than he expected to finish, but once it is complete he will send a copy to LP. Dr. Samson has offered to help process the manuscript and diagrams. As before, he would be very grateful for LP’s comments. He is finding his work at MIT very stimulating, but was very happy to hear that he had been appointed Associate Professor in Experimental Physics at Winterthur College of Technology in Switzerland, and thanks LP for his recommendation. [Letter from LP to Meier, March 10, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (M: Correspondence, 1959-1961), #258.3]

Letter from Gerald Bertin to LP, RE: Bertin expresses his admiration for LP’s undaunted spirit in the work for peace. At present, Bertin is the state chairman for SANE in New Jersey. Bertin asks for copies of the petition so that he may circulate them at Sane’s walk for “Security through World Disarmament.” [Letter from Robert Schutz March 15, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Henry Lohman to LP, RE: Lohman and the Northern California Friend Committee on Legislation would like to distribute copies of the petition to the subscribers of its newsletter. Lohman asks for 2,850 copies to be sent to him as soon as possible. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Jim Gilluly to LP, RE: Gilluly is sending in a petition full of signatures and asks for three more copies to be sent to him. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from LP to Alexander Hardell, RE: LP is a Professor of Chemistry in the California Institute of Technology, and does not have an administrative position in engineering. HE has turned Mr. Hardell’s letter over to Professor F.C. Lindvall, who is Chairman of the Division of Engineering, and Mr. Hardell should receive a reply before long. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (H: Correspondence, 1961-1962), #168.1]

Letter from LP to Alexander Meiklejohn, RE: LP writes on the Conference letterhead so that Meiklejohn can see who the other sponsors are. LP is sorry that Meiklejohn is unable to attend the Conference. [Meiklejohn’s letter February 27, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.5]

Letter from LP to Antoinette Pirie, RE: LP is asking Pirie to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Pirie’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Pirie’s reply April 7, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Barth, RE: LP hopes that Barth will consider being a participant for the Conference. LP is prepared to pay his travel expenses as well as living expenses while at the Conference. LP hopes that a statement will be prepared at the Conference that will be able to be released to the press and the public. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.5]

Letter from LP to Bill, RE: LP is asking Bill to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Bill’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Boyd Orr, RE: LP is pleased to have Orr as a sponsor for the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP hopes that Orr and his wife will be able to come to Oslo for the Conference in May. [Orr’s letter February 22, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Charles Porter, RE: LP is asking Porter to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Porter’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Porter’s reply March 14, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Dorothy Hodgkin, RE: LP is asking Hodgkin to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Hodgkin’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Hodgkin’s reply March 18, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Dr. R.M. Featherstone, Department of Pharmacology, University of California Medical Center, RE: LP will be busy nearly every Friday from now until May 19. He was interested to read Dr. Featherstone’s manuscript, and will include a comment on it in his paper. [Letter from Dr. Featherstone to LP, February 28, 1961] [Letter from Mrs. Hopkins to Dr. Featherstone, April 24, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (F: Individual Correspondence. (Fast-Feigen)), #118.2]

Letter from LP to E. Kahane, University of Montpellier. RE: Is happy to learn of his plan to arrange a conference on the Union Rationaliste during his stay in Montpellier. Suggests that the meeting not take place on April 28th. [Letter from Kahane February 22, 1961] [Filed under LP Speeches: (Speeches by LP, 1961) Box # 1961s Folder #1961s.21]

Letter from LP to Erich Fromm, RE: LP looks forward to receiving the detailed analysis of the statement of the 81 communist parties. LP and AHP are now sending out invitations to participants for the Oslo Conference. LP does not think that a great technical knowledge would be needed in order to be an active participant in the Conference. [Fromm’s letter February 23, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.5]

Letter from LP to Gunnar Jahn RE: LP says that he is happy to hear from Jahn’s letter than that Norwegian Nobel Committee has complied with LP’s request for permission to meet in the Norwegian Nobel Institute. LP says to note that the meeting is schedule for May 2nd to May 7th. [Letter from Jahn to LP: March 3, 1961] [Filed under LP Safe: Drawer #2, Folder #2.024]

Letter from LP to Iwao Ogawa, RE: LP is asking Ogawa to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Ogawa’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Ogawa’s reply March 20, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to J. Rotblat, RE: LP is asking Rotblat to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Rotblat’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Rotblat’s reply March 15, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Jay Orear, RE: LP is asking Orear to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Orear’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Orear’s reply March 14, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Jerome Wiesner, RE: LP is writing to inform Wiesner of his recent activities. LP and AHP are planning to hold a Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP and AHP have also originated an Appeal to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is also enclosing a copy of that appeal. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.1]

Letter from LP to Leopold Infeld, RE: LP is asking Infeld to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. [Infeld’s reply March 16, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to Marcel Florkin, Universite de Liege, RE: LP regrets that he could not accept the invitation. [Letter from Marcel Florkin to LP, February 8, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (C: Correspondence, 1961-1962), #76.1]

Letter from LP to Marcus Oliphant, RE: LP hopes that Oliphant will consider being a participant for the Conference. LP is prepared to pay his travel expenses as well as living expenses while at the Conference. If Oliphant is unable to attend LP asks if he will send the names of one or two people whom he thinks may be willing and able to participate in the Conference. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.5]

Letter from LP to Margaret Mead, RE: The list of sponsors for the Conference is on the letterhead and LP notes that women are poorly represented. LP thinks that this is due to the poor responses that he and AHP received from women. Only 17% of the women invited to be sponsors accepted, whereas 75% of invited men accepted. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.001, Folder #1.5]

Letter from LP to Max Born, RE: Asks who the best person to invite from West Germany to the Oslo conference would be. Describes the conference: 75 participants, 15 countries, half of them scientists. Will include private discussions, with the goal of preparing a public statement. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (B: Individual Correspondence. (Born-Braenden)), #29.1]

Letter from LP to Monsieur F. Le Lionnais, Le Conference des Sommets, RE: LP would like to see Le Lionnais again and participate in the conference, but his schedule at the moment prevents him from doing that. [Letter from Monsieur Le Lionnais to LP, February 10, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (C: Correspondence, 1961-1962), #76.1]

Letter from LP to Nicol, RE: LP is asking Nicol to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Nicol’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Nicol’s reply March 16, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Powell, RE: LP is asking Powell to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Powell’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Powell’s reply March 13, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Professor Fred M. Snell, Chairman of the Department of Biophysics at the University of Buffalo, RE: Explains that he has been impressed by Dr. Don Ridgeway, who has been studying proteins by physical chemical methods in LP’s laboratory. Says that Ridgeway is a well-trained chemist and would make an excellent teacher. [Letter from Snell to LP February 27, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence (R: Correspondence, 1960-1963), #342.2]

Letter from LP to Professor Riesman, RE: LP is asking Riesman to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Riesman’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Riesman’s reply March 10, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Professor Sohn, RE: LP is asking Sohn to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Sohn’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Sohn’s reply March 13, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Pryce, RE: LP is asking Pryce to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Pryce’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Pryce’s reply March 13, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.1]

Letter from LP to Robert Watson-Watt, RE: LP is asking Watson-Watt to take part in the Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. LP expects to have about 75 participants from 15 countries to discuss the problem of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. LP is prepared to pay for Watson-Watt’s travel expense and living expenses during the Conference. [Watson-Watt’s reply March 14, 1961] [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from LP to The Editor of the Toronto Daily Star. [Letter from Hindmarsh to LP March 13, 1961] [Filed under LP Biographical: (Assorted Legal Disputes, 1950-1962), Box #3.057, Folder #57.8]

7 March 1961

Dear Sir:

I have seen an article in the Toronto Daily Star for 27 February 1961, with the heading "Plan Rally Here: Ban-Bomb Groups May Unite," which contains a seriously damaging untrue statement about me.

This article says "Dr. Pauling, who was cited for contempt by a U.S. congressional committee for refusing to say how he obtained signatures on a petition to ban nuclear tests, will speak at a University of Toronto campus meeting March 20."

The statement that I was cited for contempt by a U.S. congressional committee is untrue.

For the Toronto Daily Star to have made this untrue statement about me is seriously damaging to me. It is no minor matter to be described as having been cited for contempt by the United States Congress. Senator Lehman said, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, "When we have once cited a man for contempt of the Senate, that is not a slight reflection on him; that is enough to ruin a man's life."

I have never been cited for contempt by any Congressional committee or any state committee or any other organization. To write that I have been cited for contempt is libel.

I demand that the Toronto Daily Star publish a retraction of this untrue statement and a statement of regret and apology at having made the untrue statement about me. I also ask that this letter by me be published in its entirety in the Toronto Daily Star. I ask that the retraction, apology, and letter be published in similar type to that of the article in which the untrue and seriously damaging statement about me was made.

On 21 June and 11 October 1960 I appeared before the Internal Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate. I did not refuse to say how I had obtained signatures on the petition urging that an international agreement be made to stop the testing of all nuclear weapons. I answered all questions that were asked me, and explained in detail how I had come to write the petition, which I presented, together with the names of 11,021 scientists of 49 countries who had signed it, to Mr. Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary General of the United Nations, on 13 January 1958. I identified a photostatic copy of the names of all of the signers. I gave the Subcommittee the names of the scientists, in nearly all countries in the world, to whom I had written, asking that they gather signatures to the petition and sign it themselves.

When I was asked if I would tell the Subcommittee who the scientists were who had collected the largest number of signatures and returned them to me, I said that my conscience would not permit me to do this, because I was convinced that the Subcommittee would visit reprisals upon these people, who were innocent of any wrongdoing, and that I would not sacrifice them in order to protect myself.

I was never ordered to give the Subcommittee this information. I was, however, ordered to return later and to bring with me the letters by means of which signatures had been transmitted to me. When I appeared before the Subcommittee on 11 October I did not bring the letters with me. I stated to the Subcommittee that I had not brought them with me because I feared that I would be asked to turn them over to the Subcommittee, and that I was unwilling to do this, for the reasons that I had already given. My action was accepted by the Subcommittee; the Chairman, Senator Dodd, simply said "Very well." He did not order me to give the Subcommittee these names. He said that I was excused from the subpoena issued by the Subcommittee.

I regret that a respectable newspaper, upon which many Canadians rely for information, should have been guilty of having published such an untrue and seriously damaging statement about me.

Yours truly,

Linus Pauling

Letter from Morris Neiburger, Chairman, Department of Meteorology, University of California LA, to LP, RE: Invites LP to attend a departmental seminar which might interest him because it will deal with hydrogen bonds and the nature of the structure of ice and water. [Letter from LP to Neiburger, March 9, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (N: Correspondence, 1957-1964), #288.5]

Letter from Mrs. Barry Stevens, to LP. RE: Has decided that Pickering is childish. Isn’t being naive about the possibilities of evil in LP’s work. [Filed under LP Correspondence (S: Correspondence, 1961): Box #381 Folder #381.2]

Letter from Mrs. Philip Stern to LP, RE: Stern asks for 200 copies of the petition to be sent to her so that she may send them out through the Sane mailing list. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Otto Bastiansen to LP, RE: Bastiansen hopes that the preparations for the Conference are going well. He is preparing a list of Scandinavians that he wants to suggest as participants for the Conference. Bastiansen will be in Pasadena soon and hopes that he will be able to see LP and AHP. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from Roscoe Proctor to LP, RE: Proctor would like to help LP in circulating the petition. Proctor asks for as many copies as his $10.00 contribution will afford. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Russell R. Williams, Jr., Haverford College, to LP. RE: Asks for a recommendation for James Short, who has applied for a teaching position on their staff. [Letter from LP March 10, 1961] [Filed under LP Correspondence (S: Correspondence, 1961): Box #381 Folder #381.2]

Letter from Valeda Bryant to AHP, RE: Bryant is circulating her copies of the petition around to her Quaker friends at the Friends meetings. She hopes to gather a lot of signatures and thanks LP for his work for peace. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from Valida Diehl to LP, RE: Diehl asks for 25 copies of the petition and is making a contribution of $5.00 to help in LP’s campaign for peace. Diehl appreciates the stand that LP took at the Un-American hearings. Diehl thanks LP for the work that he is doing for peace. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, January-March, 1961), Box #5.012, Folder #12.3]

Letter from W.H. Ferry to LP, RE: Ferry thinks that Millis would almost certainly accept an invitation to the Conference if he was invited. Ferry is enclosing extra copies of Community of Fear. [Filed under LP Peace: (Oslo Conference Against the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, May 2-7, 1961), Box #2.002, Folder #2.2]

Letter from “Woody” Griest to LP, RE: Griest notes that the Pauling Party netted $250.00 and was both a social and political success. Griest is circulating petitions for the Paulings as well. [Filed under LP Peace: (Correspondence re: circulation and signing of An Appeal to Stop the Spread of Nuclear Weapons, April-December, 1961), Box #5.013, Folder #13.4]

Receipt from First Western Bank to LP RE: “Receipt Portion.” For a deposit. $134.00. [Envelope 1961] [Filed under LP Biographical: Business and Financial: Box #4.030, Folder #30.1]

Receipt from First Western Bank to LP RE: “Receipt Portion.” For a deposit. $30.00. [Envelope 1961] [Filed under LP Biographical: Business and Financial: Box #4.030, Folder #30.1]

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