ASSOCIATION OF PASADENA SCIENTISTS
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena
December 13, 1945
To Members of the Faculty of the California Institute of Technology:
On November 23 an open meeting was held in the Gates Laboratory to consider the formation of an organization having as its
purpose to discuss and act upon the problems created by the release of atomic energy. The meeting was attended principally
by graduate students and junior Staff-members of the California Institute of Technology. An organization, to be known as
the "Association of Pasadena Scientists", was formed at that meeting. A statement setting forth the tentative structure and
purposes of the organization is appended to this letter.
Since that time we have learned of the formation of the American Federation of Scientists, a federation initiated by groups
that have been organized at the atomic bomb laboratories and at several leading universities. The aims and structure of the
Federation are described in another statement appended hereto. Professor J. R. Oppenheimer has suggested that a member organization
be formed at the California Institute of Technology, and that it be formed from existing groups on this campus. Because
of the informal character of the existing faculty group, which meets Tuesday afternoons, Professor E. C. Watson has expressed
doubt that this faculty group should be made the nucleus of such a member organization. It is felt, on the other hand, that
the tentative structure and purposes of the Association of Pasadena Scientists would be appropriate to the formation of a
member organization and that they could easily be adapted to suit the needs of such an organization. In any case it is very
desirable that a member organization be representative of the California Institute community.
An open meeting will be held Tuesday evening, December 19, in Room 22, Gates Laboratory, at which the development of such
a member organization to the American Federation will be discussed. Professor J. R. Oppenheimer and Professor Linus Pauling
will speak.
You are cordially invited to attend this meeting and to participate in planning the purposes and form of the organization.
Sincerely yours,
David P. Shoemaker
Corresponding Secretary
Appended: (l) Proposed Articles of Organization and Purposes of the Association of Pasadena Scientists
(2) Statement of Aims and Description of Organization of the American Federation of Scientists
ARTICLE IV. Amendment
Section 1. An amendment to these articles may be proposed by petition of five or more members of the Association. Copies
of any proposed amendment must be distributed to the membership at least ten days before a meeting at which it will be voted
upon.
Section 2. An amendment shall be considered adopted if it is approved by two thirds of the members voting.
Purposes of the Association of
Pasadena Scientists
I. To study the problems associated with the relationship between society and scientific developments, with special emphasis
on problems of atomic power. To gather and disseminate information pertinent to this end.
II. To promote freedom of research, particularly nuclear research.
III. To cooperate with other groups (such as the American Federation of Scientists and the Faculty Group of the California
Institute of Technology) which are working to prevent the destructive use of atomic energy, and to convince the public at
large of the necessity for taking action designed to achieve this goal.
