‘Quotable Agnew’ Vol. 15, Number 2 March, 1979 “If some major power thinks about destroying us, or some other country thinks about trying to sucker Russia Editor and the United States into Jeffery L. Pederson knocking each other out, I Photography want them to have second Bill Jack Rodgers, LeRoy N. Sanchez thoughts. I want them to consider Los Alamos, and Public Information Officer drop the whole idea.” William Richmond -Denver Post, Aug. 23, 1970 Public Relations Department Head David L. Moore

“Shortly after World War I1 Publisher the U.S. was in a position, having a nuclear monopoly, Published monthly except for July-August and January-February issues by the University of to annihilate any country California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Office completely without fear of of Public Information. Address mail to MS 318, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, New Mexico 07545. Second any similar counter-attack. It class postage paid at Los Alarnos, N.M. Printed by was undoubtedly unique in Westprint, Albuquerque, N.M. ISSN 0004-7023. the history of mankind that a USPS 712-940. nation had this capability Office and did not take advantage of 1325 Trinity Drive, Telephone (505) 667-6101. it. Historians will note many Address inter-office mail to PUB-1, MS 318. outstanding events in the 20th century. Hopefully this Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, an affirmative actiodequal opportunity employer, is operated by fact will not go unheralded.” the University of California for the United States -Testimony before the Senate Department of Energy. Committee on Armed Services, April, 1971

“There clearly has been a movement of anti-technology in this nation, but what those behind it don’t realize is that ON THE COVER: all our problems were After he had worked in the darkroom a few hours, brought about by people and photographer LeRoy N. Sanchez created this that the solutions, if there are stipple-like image of Harold Agnew from a previous any, will be brought about by “regular” negative taken by colleague Bill Jack Rodgers. Agnew is resigning his Director’s position technology. ” as of March 1, 1979; otherphotos by these two PUB- -Los Alamos Monitor, 1 photographers, as well as a pencil sketch of January 1, 1978 Agnew, help illustrate this special issue. K-listorical datelines I Karold hgnew’s career is flavored with ;I uniqurncss riot experienccd by many. Whcii tie announccd his resignation as I ,AS1 nircctor late in 1978, hc triggcwd a flurry of c:orn rn en t N frorn ar ou11 d thc country. As the University of California attcrnpts to choosc a SII(~CCSSO~by his March 1 dcparturc date, spccu1;itiori con1 inucts in many offices. Wc dcciticd 10 dcvotc an Atom issiir to this niari, who has bccm l)irccl.or siilicc 1970, and wlio has witricsscd ail i1ic:rcasc iri the I .aborarory’s rioiiweapons rfforts iri that time. Ilc’s iiow licading for the prcsitlcncy of Gcnt:ral Atomic cornpariy in Sari lliogo arid obviously has no plans to lie aiiytliirig 1)iit vibrant arid active iri the corning years. It scwncd prctciitious arid conclcst-cntlirig to satiiriitc hi!; irnagr with sacc1i;rrinc praise, so wc I-iavc trid to prcsc:rit sornvthing of liiiri tliroiigh the eyes of o~licrs wlio know him. ‘I’his issuc, after. all, was LO bc a surprise, and we wcw riot to iiitcrvicw the Director. We c:nd(~lwith sevcral portraits oC the man, and a plioco cssay produced by Bill Jack Rotlgcrs, known as “rny shadow” as Iic lollowctl 1 [arold Agncw for ii day. Writcw in this issur include Charlic Mitchell, Vic Ilogscti, Jotin Alicarnc, and thc editor. Nan Moore arid Eiildia Ncwtori assistcd with rrscarch. ICh-ctlit is also due to LeRoy N. Sanchez, John Flower, anti Katlii Gmffrion Parker. Wc also included a compilation of his quotes, over a 25-ycar period, sinw wc didn’t speak to him dircct- ly. If you’ve nevcr me1 thc man, you niay know him a little from this Atom issuc.

1 Swim team letterman Harold Agnew, secoI; Coach Williams, Art Condon, and Don Self Historical datelines SOUTH PACIFIC, August 6, 1945-Harold M. Agnew, a member of the research team from Los Alamos Laboratory that helped develop the first atomic weapons, today flew as a civilian scientific observer in the strike against Hiroshima, Japan. Prior to joining the Los Alamos Laboratory .project in 1943, Agnew was the youngest member of the group under noted scientist Enrico Fermi which created the first fission chain reaction at Stagg Field in Chicago, Illinois. ,

LASL 111. photo Tinian Island, 1945: Four who gathered for a photo before the strike against Hiroshima, Japan, were (top) Harold Agnew and Louis Alvarez; LASL We photo (bottom) Larry Johnston and B. Bill Robbins took this photo of a younger Harold Agnew in the Pacific after he Waldman. Agnew flew as scientific caught what was reputed to be a record 55-inch barracuda in Enewetak lagoon, advisor with the 509th Bombardment 25 years ago. At a later colloquium, Roy Reider said this picture represented Group. “Harold and a barracuda in the Pacific. The barracuda is on the right.”

2 LASL phoio LASL lile phoio ///e om right, posed for the 19313 high school annual. Ottrers were Frarik Stiles, Sid Barik, Harold Agnew as he appeared in the 1938 high school yearbook.

LASL We photo LASL Iih photo Harold Agnew i~ceptodthe Ernest 0. Lawrence Award April 27, 1966, from In 1!364, Harold Agnew becarrre James 1. Namoy, Atornic Energy Commission member. Weapons Llivisirm leador, replacing Max r-. Roy. Six years later, Agncw would be Laboratoty Director at the age of 49.

3 Former Director Norris Bradbury and new Director Haroi

Photo by BIII Jack Rodger6 An opening game of the 1971 youth baseball season provided a moment of relaxation for the Director.

LASL Ille phofo Harold Agnew and President Lyndon B. Johnson met in Washington in August, 1966, on the 20th anniversary of the Atomic Energy Act. Two new AEC commissioners were also sworn in then.

4 LOS ALAMOS, N.M., October 19, 1961-Ilarold M. Agricw, altcr- Photo by Ulll Regsn riate W-Division lc,atlcr, has ,gnew, in n 1976 change-of-c;ommand portrait. accepted the NATO post of scirncc advisor to Cknmil 1,auris Norstad, S u p r c m t: A 1 1 i cd Co m rn a n der, 1’u ropc.. Agncw will take a lcavc of ahsmcc from the Laboratory lor “an indcfitiitc period,” 1)cginniiig abour Dc~ccmhc~15. €ICwill take his wifc lteverly of 1’-DO and their chil- tlrcn, Nancy and John, with him to I;,uIYJ~c..The hgiiews plan to livv in Paris, and Agnr~w’s will bc at S 13 A 1’ E 11 c’ ii tl q u a r t (> r s ri c ;I r Versaill(~s.

1,OS ALAMOS, N.M., August 6, 1964-H~irold M. Agncw, 4.3,lor the past 2%years scientific advisor to the Allied command in the North At 1ii ri t i c 1’r ca t y 0 r g a n i za t i o ri, 11 as bccri named hc.ad of thc Weapons Ilivision at I ,os Alarrios Scimtific L.ahora I ory .

EOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 3, 1966-1’wo l.os hlamos Scicritific I .:tboratory st dl rricnihcrs NT among fivc 1J.S. scientists nanicd totlay IO rweivc the llrnest Orlando I,;iwrcricc Memorial Award for 19GG. ‘They are Harold M. Agnew, lcxlcr ol thc Laboratory’s Weapons Division, and Ernest C. Antlerson, nicmtm of the biophysics staff. Photo by Olll Regan Agriew walked an audience through a set of equations during a 1970 meeting. Announcement of the awards was the safety and success of the Apollo made by Glenn T. Seaborg, chair- Program. man of the Atomic Energy Com- LOS ALAMOS, N.M., March 25, mission. The award is made upon 1975-Harold M. Agnew, Director the recommendation of its General of the Los Alamos Scientific Labo- Advisory Committee and with the ratory, has been elected a Fellow of approval of the president. the American Association for the Established by the Commission Advancement of Science (AAAS). in December, 1959, the award The election occurred at a recent honors the late Ernest 0. Lawrence, meeting of the AAAS Council in inventor of the cyclotron and New York City. Agnew thus joins director of the radiation laboratory a select group of American scien- at the University of California, tists in receiving this national Berkeley and Livermore, which honor. bear his name. LOS ALAMOS, N.M., March 15, The citations of the LASL 1978-On March 1, 1978, the recipients read: United States Senate confirmed Agnew-For his highly signifi- President Jimmy Carter’s nomina- cant contributions to the develop- tion of Harold M. Agnew to be a ment of nuclear weapons and for member of the General Advisory his outstanding success in working Committee of the U.S. Arms with the armed services to assure the Control and Disarmament Agency. maximum safety and effectiveness LOS ALAMOS, N.M., November of atomic weapons systems. 3, 1978-In a letter dated October 27, 1978, to University of California Anderson-For outstanding con- A successor to Agnew will be named President David S. Saxon, Los tributions to nuclear medicine, to by the University of California. Alamos Scientific Laboratory biological research, to archeologi- Agnew is the Laboratory’s third Director Harold M. Agnew stated cal dating, and for the development Director since 1943. . of liquid scintillation counting his intention to resign his position which made possible early neutrino as Director effective March 1, 1979. -John Ahearne experiments and the liquid scintil- lator whole body counter. LOS ALAMOS, N.M., January 3, 1968-Harold M. Agnew, head of the Weapons Division of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, has been reappointed chairman of the US. Army Scientific Advisory Panel. The reappointment for a second two-year term was recently announced by Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor. The Army Scientific Advisory Panel, composed of scientists, edu- cators, and industrial leaders, ad- vises the Secretary of the Army and his staff on scientific and technical problems. LOS ALAMOS, N.M., 1971- Harold M. Agnew, Director of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, has received the National Aero- nautics and Space Administration’s

Public Service Award for his Photo by 8lll Jeck Rodger6 dedicated service as a member of the During the visit of Vice President Gerald ford in thesummer of 7974, this pose Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel prompted an impromptu caption that the two men later enjoyed: “What do you which contributed significantly to think? Eight ball in the side pocket?”

6 Photo by BIN Jack Rodgem The Director took his place in line for a vaccination during the swine flu scare of 1976.

LASL ille photo Phelo by Ell1 Jack Rodgsn Dixy Lee Ray, then chairing tho Alornic rircrsry Gornrnission and riow gover- Tennis buff Harold Agnew returns a nor of Washin{glon, proserrfed an awaid to Harold Agriow seven yews ago. The high one during a 1978 benefit match citation noted the? Uriivutsity of Californiak leatlership in rruclear technology for the Los Alamos United Fund drive. and was one ol seven giver7 nationally.

7 “At one time I thought I would like to retire to Santa Fe. But now that we are leaving, I know that I don’t want to do that. I want to come back and retire in Los Alamos, and that’s why we are going to keep our house.“

There’s a blue BMW parked in The photographer fusses with understands that a special issue of the driveway at 1459 46th Street in window shutters, searching for the The Atom is being prepared in Los Alamos. The car has a prestige illusive combination of light and secrecy, to mark her husband’s plate up front that says “Beverly” shadow that will frame a portrait of retirement from LASL after 35 years and a New Mexico license plate. Beverly. She’s been through this of service. She also understands that Soon the BMW will sport Califor- before, and accepts it graciously as the questions are likely to be pretty nia plates, and it’s likely to be she discusses, with wry humor, the predictable and the answers she parked in La Jolla, near San Diego, impending move to California. gives may well be the same, but then for Beverly Agnew is leaving town. The writer apologizes for what her candor gives the lie to predict- Jean-clad, informal, she offers might seem to be an invasion of ability: biscochitos and coffee to PUB privacy-after all, the Agnews’ “Harold is retiring from the staffers who have come to interview private life is nobody’s business- University (of California),” she and photograph her. and Beverly Agnew laughs. She stresses. “He’ll work for General

8 “There werc cots all over the place, ” 6ev reminisces. “We two women took turns with the household chores. . . A group of us strll has a Chinese-style buffet at least once a year, a legacy of the early years. ”

9 She does not envision any major children, and they were billeted in a changes in her home life. three-bedroom “Sundt” apartment “Harold has always travelled a that already bulged with one lot, and yet he is almost always married couple and six men whose home on weekends. I expect he will families had not yet arrived in Los travel in the future, particularly in Alamos. the beginning, but I keep so busy, The Sundts, barracks-like and I don’t expect that to change, apartments named for one of the either,” she says. original builders, were often said to Looking back, Beverly Agnew have been erected by men who made reminisces easily about Los a religion out of right angles. Alamos. Angular, bleak, their back doors facing the streets to facilitate the “In the spring of 1943, Harold delivery of coal, the universal fuel came to Los Alamos and I joined until the arrival of natural gas in him two weeks later,” she recalls. 1947. Agnew jokes about his selection for Project Y, saying he came to Los “There were cots all over the Alamos because “Oppie” (J.Robert place,” Bev reminisces. “We two Oppenheimer) needed secretarial women took turns with the house- help on the project. Beverly had hold chores. One of the men did the worked for Oppenheimer during cooking, and he gave us Chinese his visits to Chicago, where Harold food for every meal except break- Agnew was a junior physicist fast-then we usually got oatmeal working with Enrico Fermi’s team and raisins. A group of us still has a on the first atomic pile at Chicago’s Chinese-style buffet at least once a Stagg Field. She joined year, a legacy of the early days.” Oppenheimer’s staff in Los Alamos Of those early days, Beverly in the spring of 1943. Agnew comments: “People were pouring into Los “There was some dissatisfaction, Alamos in 1943,” Bev Agnew particularly with the shortage of recalls. Pouring is an accurate housing, but mostly, we didn’t description, as the Army Corps of mind. It was a frantic pace of living, Engineers tried in vain to keep up and the majority of us were caught with the influx of people. Los up in the excitement-I think a lot Alamos was a military post, but of this was generated because the traditional spit and polish was average age of those living in Los largely lacking since the project, Alamos during those early years originally estimated to require was twenty-five-we rode with the about 100 scientists, had grown like times quite easily.” Topsy. One consequence of the youth of Dirt streets ran in every direction the new community’s residents was in the new town that sprawled three a baby boom. Three of the couples miles from the guard gate that in the Agnews’ Sundt had babies the barred entry to all who did not have first year they lived in Los Alamos. the required pass. A wooden water The town’s military hospital soon tower dominated the town, and all devoted half of its facilities to a streci directions were related to its nursery. Nancy Agnew, who was central position in the ugly born in Los Alamos, cost her conglomeration of hastily erected parents a grand total of $14-a temporary housing. Such housing dollar a day for Beverly’s food while as there was, was allotted according she was hospitalized. Nancy’s birth to need. The Agnews had no certificate lists “P.O. Box 1663, Santa Fe” as her parents’ primary residence. Young couples, many with infants, enjoyed progressive parties Beverly Agnew, circa 1940. in the new community, for few As Rov Aynew retnirlds visitors as they exit, “We’ll be back. . . ’I We followed Harold Agnew through the paces of a day as “aver- age” as any other to see what he normally comes up against. Below, he heads toward the Administration Building about 7:45 a.m. Right, he talks to secretary Nan Moore, before heading to a Tuesday morning col- loquium. He must leave the talk early to prepare a program he will give to a group that includes U.S. Rep. Charles Rose, D-North Carolina, at lower right.

12 Photos by Bill Jack €Codgers

13 I Agnew later gives a presentation to industrial leaders in the study center, above left, then listens at a weapons - related talk that in- volves Herbert Scoville, a DOE consultant, and Richard Sandoval of WPC-2. At far right above, Agnew makes final comments to the gathering and returns to his office. He checks material submit- ted for approval by Roger Perkins, the Laser Research Division leader, at right. Before lunch, Agnew talks with William Kriegsnian, con- sultant with Arthur D. Little, Inc., and they talk about the nearly famous “bologna statue” in his office, in the photo at far right.

14

After lunch, Agnew contemplates a moment by his window, at left, before his next appointment. Bal- timore Sun correspondent Muriel Dobbin, above, interviews the Director for what will be a front page story. At right, Agnew checks with personnel of TD-7, the group responsible for intelligence, and then climbs the two flights back to his fourth floor office, at far right.

16 17

problcrn came up, we would fly to M7;is hingt o t 1 ;I tic1 ta 1k io the bossr s, Glcnn ScaaI)org (then head of the AEC) or anyone clsc. at that level.” Rricfly touching on the icla iionsliip LAS L, rnaint aim with the Ilnivcrsity ol California, Bi-;idl)ury said: ‘‘Again that was fiisicr, altliou~litlic problr.ms arc almut the siirnc. l’his whole question of wcapons work camc up it1 my time-we liad the %inncir Comrnittro (looking into the I-c,lationship of I,ASI, iirid tlic I Jriivcrsit y ). Sometimes t he fac:u1ty ;iritl stiidcriis tlidn’l understand the work hcrc, why it was done and lor wlrom. It loolts as if llaroltl has Irad thc same types of problems, only ntorc ol tl~cm.” -Vi(. lfogsett

hftcr Agticw becamc IASL, I)iI-cctor iii 1970, his path crossed Brashear’s for the first time since scvcntli grade. ‘I’hey looked iit cilch other’s lac.cls arid each blurtcd, “Iiycrs Junior High!” at ii 1,abora tory rccc:pti on. “13c is a hard, fair man,” said Rra- shear, who has worked in 1’1 JR-2, the nius(wtn group, lor years, and who has txcn rnanagcr of the Study

21 Center. “On the social side of aware of the Laboratory, while item turned up at one evening things, he’s worked just as hard as retaining its research excellence and reception once. “He had a fireman’s we have. At the extra-hours diversity of programs.” coat on,” said Brashear, ‘‘just a nice receptions, he’s there too.” Like others, Brashear has picked blue coat from surplus. Some may Brashear sees in Agnew a man up the phone on occasion to find call him tight. He does know the who has expanded the scope of the the Director on the other end with a value of a buck, and I think the Laboratory’s public relations and request. “He’s rather brusque, and Laboratory has profited by it.” one who has always supported he has to get things done, but I’ve Brashear recalls from the Byers Bradbury Science Hall. “He always never known him to be Junior High days: “We would all expected us to take his guests there overbearing,” said Brashear. “He’s eat lunch rapidly and then play and tell them about the not an unreasonable man, from the Prisoners’ Base or other running Laboratory,” said Brashear. view of any status or occupation. games outside.. . . We considered “He’s also very sociable and at He can talk of anything from Harold Agnew one of the smart ease in any crowd. He moves easily science to the temperature of a ones, but never guessed at his with generals, postdoctoral wine.” potential or future leadership.” researchers, members of Congress, One of Agnew’s favorite jackets is -Jeff Pederson University Regents. He’s worked known to be a corduroy coat from a hard to make the country more used clothing store, but another A

When Jean Davis arrived at the from her own experience, to get ac- secret Project Y in Los Alamos in climated before reporting for work 1943, her dinner hosts the first eve- because I would never be allowed to ning turned out to be Harold and stop. A‘day later she handed me my Beverly Agnew. badge, signed me onto the payroll, “My husband had known the and sent me off to work for 35 Agnews at the Metallurgical Labo- years. ” ratory in Chicago,” said Davis, who Davis, who worked with many recently retired after working as projects and personalities in her LASL’s Affirmative Action Officer. LASL years, and who is now a con- “I came to Los Alamos before my sultant, said of Agnew: “We always husband because there was a need knew he’d be the Director one day. late the mental process, probably for clerical people, and there would He has an extraordinary sense of intentionally. He has keen be an advantage in securing drive and dedication which impels foresight. He is extremely honest housing too.” him to accept uncommon chal- and stands firm in his beliefs. Re- The Agnews lived in a Sundt lenges. . . and he succeeds.” treat is not one of his virtues.” apartment and took in people who “Beverly worked as a secretary She also said Agnew is quick to were waiting for their families to during the early years, then again in assimilate things. “He can get to the catch up with them. One of these the Physics Division while I was root of things easily, although he people, Ted Jorgensen, prepared there,” she said. “She is a brilliant doesn’t always give the answer you Chinese food for dinner that first woman. It might appear that want to hear. At times I have tried to night, beginning a tradition con- Harold would overshadow her, but get between him and the telephone tinued during the war and she is the woman behind the man to prevent him from acting too occasionally to the present day. and has always been supportive. quickly, but he always got the first About once a month, everyone pre- She has contributed in her own ring.” pared a Chinese dish and took their right to many community projects bowl, cup and chopsticks to enjoy in the public interest.” Agnew appears to her as a man potluck. willing to delegate authority, but Davis says Harold hasn’t really expectant of high standards. He “They are very friendly people changed in 35 years. “His brand of makes friends easily among the and took good care of newcomers,” humor may be misunderstood by diversity of people: “Who else Davis recalled. “Beverly advised me, some people, but it tends to stimu- would have car repairs made by a

22 iilatnos comiriuriity to fernairt ctii~rcriton rnauy siibjccts. Hc has Imm ;I great Ilirecior during tlifl‘i- c~ilttimes. As hc: says: ‘1:vcryoric is rcplac.eablr;’ hit I know hc will 1x3 missed at Los hlamos.” --Jeff Yederson

going on to ticw thing\. Slic wid, “I tloti’t know, but it would rwim be l)cr,iii\c hcb’cl givc tip trying.” --Charlie Mitchell

23 but not without putting up a lot of “We visited occasionally to trade become Beverly Agnew. keen competition,” proclaimed the stamps-lots of hard bargaining,” Like Harold, Emigh came to the class yearbook. Emigh said. “I don’t know who got Manhattan Project during the war. President, National Honor the better of those deals. He He returned to the University of Society, Scholastic Society, basket- probably did-he’s a pretty sharp Illinois to earn his Ph.D. in Physics, ball, French Club, and a dozen character. ” and has since worked on a variety of other organizations and activities Bob and Harold lost track of each LASL projects including Phermex, were listed after Harold’s name in other after high school, but met non-destructive testing, the that yearbook. again at a party at the University of LAMPF injector system, and the The big common interest Illinois, Emigh’s alma mater, intense neutron source facility. between Bob and Harold back in which Harold attended with -John Ahearne those days was stamp collecting. another ’38 South High graduate, Beverly Jackson, who by then had

When Dave and Jane Hall first met Harold and Beverly Agnew, it was a 1941 All-American, straight- out-of -a-storybook situation. Harold Agnew, president of the didn’t have the money to buy Ford Phaeton around the city.” senior class, University of Denver. Beverly an engagement ring. The Jane Hall was an assistant Beverly Jackson, Queen of the May. only thing he had of great enough director under Norris Bradbury Engaged to be married when they value was a red Ford Phaeton, a 4- until her retirement in 1970, while graduated. door convertible. Dave was, at different times, head of The Halls, now both retired “We bought the car from him, the since-reorganized K-, A-, and R- LASL physicists, went to the and he was able to buy the Divisions before retiring in early University of Denver in 1941 as engagement ring for Beverly. He 1978. had just gotten a job with the instructors, taught and gave ,,We met Harold and Beverly Manhattan District in Chicago, and straight As to Harold in several again in 1945 when we came classes, and helped unhitch theonly we told him he wouldn’t need a car work for the Laboratory, and, of hitch in the straight-out-of-a- in the city, anyway. course, our families have been storybook situation. “Of course, he was somewhat friends ever since,” they said. “They were engaged to be chagrined when we went to -John Ahearne married,” Jane recalls. “But Harold Chicago a year later-driving a red

- One of Harold’s old hunting and “I’d like to call it luck, but I really fishing buddies, Wally Leland, says think it’s because he is so intense in he hates to admit it, but the Director everything he does,” said Leland, usually got more and bigger fish- an L-10 staff member, and Agnew and even a bigger antelope-on a compatriot since 1950. recent hunting trip. $1ig 1-1 t I y . “Another time, on orir of oui hiintirig trips, I got a tlcci with a lur ky long shot,” said I .eland. “Whm 1Iaiold arid I got to wlierr thr, deer was, wt‘ tourid another hiiiitcr alrcady drcs\irig out tlir an i ma I. “With ;I gieat dcal of authority, Hat old told thc rriiin how much he apprc(iaicd tlic tvoik he was doing on oiir drcr. The rri;iii actu;dly stayed aiid linishc~ltlic job lxxforc I1;irold and I Iic,idcd hack with our trophy. Like I said, IIaiold is riot the type to IM k down.” --John Aliearne

sugg.gcstctl that €laroltl fix itp thc offiw bccat1sc it just wasn’t ii nice place to have cliscussioiis with I lie sort of people with whom Harold had to cloak I Iarold’s reaction was, ‘I~Iowmilch will that cost?’ ” Sitting hack and putting his hands bchirid his head, Duncan siiid, “Ilc~rc’sa trite story. At onc tiiric Haroltl iliid I were talking and I was complitiiiiiig ahout tlic high cost of food. Harold agreed, arid said that the price of ziicchirii had gone from so midiii poiirid to some higher pricc. I told him that I didn’t know aboiit that but that the price o f 1) or t (:rho 11 s c s t e a lc h :I d skyrockctccl. IIarold asked if 1 bought Portcrhousc arid I said yes. Harold said, ‘Then I’m paying you too rnucli!’ ”

25 Duncan also commented that one prepared talk. After a couple of about 15 military types in it. They of Harold’sgreatstrengths is that he minutes, Taylor stopped him and were obviously receiving a lecture is a very convincing speaker and asked if he was going to read the on ordnance. Oneofficer is running that his briefings are excellent. entire briefing. The Colonel was for the door and there is a hand Harold always knew what he was shocked and embarrassed, but said grenade sitting in the middle of the talking about and was comfortable that that was what he had planned table. The caption under the with his subject matter. to do. Taylor then said, ‘Then I’m running man read, “And that, gen- “Harold’s briefings are not,” leaving. I can read a great deal faster tlemen, is how you pull the pin,” Duncan said, “like one that Gen. than you.’ ” Duncan chuckled and said, “I Maxwell Taylor is once supposed to Duncan said that he remembers wonder if that cartoon isn’t just as have received. Apparently Taylor an old VIP cartoon that some relevant now.” was to be briefed by a Colonel who personal event recently brought to -Charlie Mitchell stood and started reading a mind. It showed a small room with

Trout served with warm friend- friendship with Agnew. Metropolis ship and open hospitality, a relaxed has been called the “Grand Old evening with old friends looking Man of LASL Computers.” back on shared experiences, and just plain good company are the “You might say I’ve seen him thoughts Nicholas Metropolis has develop straight through,” of his long relationship with the Metropolis said. “I was one of Harold Agnew family. Harold’s instructors when he was a He has known Agnew since 1942 graduate student at the University when the two were members of the of Chicago. I feel I’ve seen him at Manhattan Project at the Univer- the beginning of his career and I’ve unprecedently keen for graduate sity of Chicago. The following year seen him achieve great heights. It research positions following the Agnew and Metropolis met again at was fairly evident early on that he war. We had a tremendous amount Los Alamos. Since then he has seen had the drive. I guess you could of talent vying for those positions at Agnew develop into a competent characterize him as being adept at the University of Chicago. scientist, become the Director of interdisciplinary development. “But,” he continued, “here was a America’s leading defense young man with a tremendous “I would avoid the term institution, and successfully raise amount of talent who had a knack ‘administrator.’ I would call him an two children. for being in the right place at the executive in science. Really, I sup- right time. He had the sort of drive Metropolis first came to Los pose ‘adept’ is the proper word for that would lead him to the top. Alamos in 1943 during a time when him. Harold had that ability to the town was little more than prim- draw together interdisciplinary “Yet he could be relaxed, fun, and itive housing and running mud, sciences. This was one of the great- amusing,” he added. “I’ve always with hastily constructed laborator- nesses of Oppenheimer.” admired that he was forthright and ies thrown in for focus. In 1946, he I suspect he has more compassion Agnew’s positive professional returned to the University of traits were noticed as early as his than he would be willing to reveal.” Chicago as an assistant professor of physics. There he continued his college days in Chicago where, Looking toward Agnew’s retire- friendship with Harold Agnew, Metropolis said, he was hard- ment date, March 1, Metropolis who was then a graduate student of working and a serious student joined others in saying he could see physics and an Enrico Fermi bright enough to survive very the reasons behind Agnew’s desire prodigy. Two years later he was selective screening immediately to move tp private industry. following the war. back in Los Alamos to build the “These are extremely difficult Laboratory’s first series of elec- “He pursued his career rather times for science managers,” he tronic stored-program computers, vigorously. He had his goals set said. “There is quite a lot of con- MANIAC I and 11. During this time rather early,” Metropolis said. fusion in the interaction between he was again able to renew his “Competition was unusually and Los Alamos and Washington.”

26 -Vic Hogsett No otic I know would challcngc his cl ircc I ors li il ). ’ ’ ‘t’lic I>iiwctor also has ;I srnsc of humor. IXsciissitig a program to tlrtermiiic~the svx of 1)oos with thrn- Seii. Joscpli Moritoya, Rgricw said, “1Jniil ~hrycainc up wilh this, tlic only way to tell was IO t)iill thcir ~’nnlsdown .” A ycarly rcccption for c:ornrnutiity Icadcrs from ihc iri- coiirity regno11 was I~cgiiriin 1978. “Ik’s coiiscioiis of I,os Alamos I)cirig ;I oinc~-industry town,” said I’0l.l on. ‘Tie is, in my estimation, uniquc. HC’Sgoing to bc damn hard to replacc. You can be a grcat scicritist, hut io (lo hit and to adiniiiistrr, 100, is tou~li.” -Jeff Pcderson

Roy is ;I wcll of good stories. “llarold,” Roy said, “has ii good smsr of hiriiior-kind of puckish.” As ;in cxaniplc ol this, Roy told of a flighl the two of thcm wcrc on 25 years ago. It srenis that they were f ~ing,’ 011c anothcr at the lrorlt of thc plane. LIaroltl was seated ncxt to a Iliuopcaii tourist who was very ex-

27 cited by the view out of the window. In the fall of 1952, Harold and like the above. He had two very The European turned to Harold Roy were participating in strong comments about Harold’s and asked, “Is that Old Baldy?” Operation Ivy in the Pacific. character. Roy said that, in general, Without changing expression, Harold was concerned about the ‘I ... he has tremendous Harold looked straight at Roy and number of armed military guards imagination and incisive said, “Oh, he’s not so old.” standing around a nuclear device. understanding of problems only During one of the many debates He asked Roy, “What do you think peripheral to his unique abilities. in Los Alamos about the use of salt about the loaded firearms around He was never afraid to challenge on the roads in the winter, Roy said here?” Roy answered that “at the procedures or rules. He didn’t that Harold commented that “. . . Laboratory we wouldn’t want them always win, but he was always Los Alamos seems to be having its around high explosives, etc., but somewhat in thc right. Even own SALT talks.” That one-liner out here we’re under military though he wasn’t always totally seemed to make Roy almost sad. He jurisdiction.” right, he was never in doubt.” noted that the strain and work of The next day Roy returned to the “His sense of personal responsi- being Director had been hard on same spot and found the senior bility was so great-so ‘old Harold. In fact, Roy said that he security officer looking dismayed. fashioned’-that he used his asked Harold’s son, John, “How’s Roy asked him what the matter was advisory boards for advice, then your dad doing?” after Harold had and he said, “They took our bullets made the decision, but the respon- been Director for a while. John away!” sibility was totally his.” replied that “he doesn’t laugh as Not all of the time talking with -Charlie Mitchell much any more.” Roy was devoted to small vignettes

A long-time neighbor and their wives. “We were neighbors at colleague of Harold Agnew, Max the time,” he said. “As neighbors, Roy, confirmed the Director’s our wives naturally became propensity for stretching a dollar. friends.” Agnew and Roy became Retired from LASL since 1970 hunting and fishing buddies. After and sitting in the living room of his Roy stepped down as Weapons 20th Street home, Roy said he didn’t Division leader, Agnew, his alter- know if “cheap” was exactly the nate, took over. right word for Agnew. ‘‘I think he started looking down “Let’s call him thrifty,” he said. on wormers, of which I am one,” “He was always getting things Roy said describing Agnew as primarily a fly fisherman. left, I can understand his getting wholesale. On oneof his many trips out. He is not one to by-pass a to Chicago he found a place for “He was a straight shooter and problem, but it can wear you dishwashers. He brought three of seemed to get a real joy out of down-even him.” them back with him.” Pointing hunting turkey and ducks,” Roy toward his kitchen, Roy added, said. “Oh, he liked to hunt -Vic Hogsett “One of them sits over there.” everything. He and Po (Popavi Da) “On that same trip, he bought an used to hunt together.” enormous amount of salami, a Roy said he will remember rather loud-smelling salami. On Agnew as a family man, efficient the train trip back he received some worker and competent Director. He rather curious looks from the added he could understand Agnew’s porters and his fellow passengers. It desire to retire from the Laboratory. was very good salami, by the way,” Referring to a growing federal said Roy. bureaucracy, Roy said: “Things Roy first met Agnew through have changed so horribly since I

28 “Once in ii while, particularly in administrative arcas, I would hilve to say: ‘II;trold, you just (.atl’t do that.’ So hc would want to know why and I would havca IOexplain. If I macle my pint, hc would finally

29 give up. ‘Well, OK, but I still think things running reasonably he would scrawl a big ‘See me,’ and it is a hell of a good idea.’ End of smoothly. In general, he left me then we would have to have a subject-at least for a .while. alone to do this as long as I kept him conference to iron out the problem. informed. Because of his busy “Harold loved to go out and sell “To me, Harold was a strong and the laboratory programs or to invite schedule, I soon found out that the aggressive leader of the Laboratory. groups to visit the lab for the same easiest way to do this was to keep a Sometimes blunt and curt; at other purpose. He was a well-travelled running informal diary to give him times very patient and under- Director and his schedule was filled to read when he had time. By the standing of a troubled individual’s with meetings and briefings. I was next morning it would be returned problems, but always thinking the ‘inside man’ expected to handle with his notations. Generally, these ahead and highly dedicated to the the internal problems and keep were ‘OK’ or ‘Fine,’ but sometimes best interests of LASL.”

Harold Agnew can be a versus solid fuel. Harold’s message determined man. Consider this was: ‘Why buy a cow when story, relayed by J.J. Wechsler, now powdered milk is so cheap?’He was assistant leader of WX-Division, speaking about years of funding, who has been in Los Alamos since and that trait is very respected.” 1944: Soon after World War 11, Harold “In 1952 at Enewetak in the purchased one of the first powered Pacific, we had the first large ther- lawn mowers-the same one seen monuclear test for the ‘Mike’ shot. with Enrico Fermi in an old movie, Harold made a point of getting out About eight years ago, Harold told there; he wanted to lend a hand in a Wechsler, who tinkered with technical capacity, and he was engines, that he could have the attached to the Director’s office machine. “We went over one day then. As soon as the test was over, after work, and loaded it up- Harold was determined to get Harold still had the original home.. . . We were all out in the manual for it. It hadn’t been used in ocean on ships, I on the ‘Estes,’ and a while. Then he asked me what 1 he on the ‘Curtis.’ was going to give him for it. Beverly run off and do your bidding. I think he’s learned that somewhat now.” “The seas were pretty heavy and said, ‘Nothing, he’s just hauling it rolling. Only the ‘Estes’ had a away.’ I still have it.” Agnew also has a habit of calling helicopter pad. So they said they One recurrent misunderstand- persons anywhere when he has a would haul Harold up on a sling, ing, said Wechsler, revolves around question, often instead of going but the ship was really pitching, Agnew’s method of making a through the proper “chain of and the helicopter was trying to stay statement when a question is command.” The problem, level, and the rope with the hook intended, such as, “We ought to do Wechsler said, is that “no one likes was swinging. Harold was out over this.” People get the idea they to admit he or she can’t answer the the fantail, they finally hooked shouldn’t argue, a common feeling question when on the spot. It took a him, and we watched through when dealing with increasingly while for people to realize that binoculars. We figured he really did higher positions of responsibility, simple thing about him, that he is want to get back.” “But if you disagree, he would calling because he thinks he’ll get really like to know why,” Wechsler the person that can give an To some, Harold is tight-fisted said. “In many of these cases, he has immediate answer-I don’t think with money. “He’s frugal,” said literally been misinterpreted. You he realizes it yet.” Wechsler, “but he really thinks twice and considers the long term. find that people are just ready to -Jeff Pederson About 1954, he sent a telegram from Enewetak to Director Norris Bradbury. We had completed a test, where Harold was the program manager, but its success was followed by a big debate over liquid

30 “A number of my colleaguc~s and I were saddcricd to hear of your dcci\ion to resign as Director of oiic 01 our nation’s most important sc icntific inqtitu- tions. I think rhc riatiorial laborator ies md the scieri- tific /tec hiiic a1 community will sorely miss oric 01 its most iniportmt spokcsmen.” --Chester K. Kichmond, associate director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

“I wrilc with rriixctl cmo~iorison your immincrit tlcpar Lure from 1,os Alarnos. You have hen a pillar of strength and a driving torce that has madc the Lab a major contributor to both our nation’s dcfensci arid long- terni energy sufficiency.” -Richard T. Kennedy, commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

“Your anriounccd resigna- tion. *. really caught me by surpr isc. ‘I’tiat you would he irritated with some of the “I arn SUI c you will land on goings 011 arid that you would your leet .sirrcr. your talcmts arc be iii a rnood to protcst, was widely ;tp~m~ciatcd,but I nc) t surprising; t he part icu 1 a r c annot help but be corrccrned routc you took was, however. al)out thc il ,aboratory which How would you likc to comc 1i,i\ done slo well undcr your to (hrncll for a couplc of lcatlcx sfiil).’’ weeks and give us a sct of lectures?” --Ikxlcric k Seitr, Thr. ltoikcfcller IJrniversity, --FA Long, director, New York Peace Studies Program

31 ‘Quotable Agnew’

“It is a well-known fact “I think the country would “When the government that I am the best fisherman at be much better off if a large wants an opinion on nuclear Los Alamos, but this may be number of those people in research, the director of the debated by other fishermen.” Washington would just go Los Alamos laboratory is the -Albuquerque Journal, home. I don’t want them laid man called.” January, 1955 off. But I think we’d be better -Denver Post, Aug. 23, 1970 off if they were just told to “Oh, sometimes I miss stay home and receive their “I clearly can’t repeat the being able to actually do checks in the mail, and just fine job Norris (Bradbury)did something, which you can do don’t do anything. We would serving 25 years. I’d go do much more work for the in the laboratory as an experi- bananas.” mentalist, rather than just country, and I don’t think -Los Alamos Monitor, write papers or argue about there’d be any loss whatsoever January 1, 1978 papers that other people as a result of all those people write. Or respond to a bunch just staying home and of seemingly stupid teletypes enjoying themselves.” “I am not a ‘hawk.’ I think or requests day after day.” -The Atom, March-April, 1974 it’s insane to contemplate -The Atom, March-April, 1974 using nuclear weapons. But I “It’s like Hertz and Avis, believe we must have them as “Not much more than 100 and we think we’re No. 1,” a deterrent, to keep the years ago the citizens of this speaking of the LASL- balance of power. I don’t nation were blessed with Lawrence Livermore compe- want to see the United States national resources which tition. second-best in anything, and appeared inexhaustible.. . . -New York Times, Aug., 1978 the Russians are going to Since then the buffalo have cream us in technology very been slaughtered, our prairies “It is very important to soon. They’ve tripled their have been over-grazed or over- maintain the laboratories, basic research and we aren’t built, minerals have been maintain our capability, so increasing ours.’’ taken by the most economical that the tremendous amounts -Denver Post, Aug. 23, 1970 means with no thought of of knowledge, which is in the what was to follow. Industry heads of people mostly, can “If we knew what we’d be prospered and we developed a be properly documented for doing in research five years throw-away economy. future use.’’ from now, we’d start doing it Today. . . the pendulum is -Congressional testimony, today,” speaking of five-year rapidly swinging to the other 1978 plans for the DOE. extreme.. *. As we could not -Associated Press, April, 1978 for long tolerate the excesses “We’re still looking ahead in which we have indulged in into next year and trying to the past we should not now figure out what the Depart- “$20 million differential” attempt to practice pure con- ment of Energy wants us to of Los Alamos versus servation in the extreme,” do. It isn’t clear yet how it’s Livermore funds “gives me a -Address at the Governor’s all going to rattle down.” bellyache. ” Prayer Breakfast in Santa Fe, -Los Alamos Monitor, -New Mexico Business Journal, January, 1973 January 1, 1978 December, 1978 b US. Government Printing Office: 1979 - 677-050/2

32 Flag-wave, Harold Agriew was part of this Wastrington Park School contingent in Denver. The photographer of Glass 6-A is now unknown.