I ..1” I LA-5200 .’. -—--J ------ C.L , , Manhattan District History Nonscientific Aspects of Los Alamos Proiect Y 1942 through 1946 ,._ -. –-1 —.— 1 ‘(1 For Reference $ Not to be taken from this room 10s— @ alamos -w scientific Laboratory of the University of California LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO 87544 Ii UNITED sTATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION CONTRACT W-7405 -ENG. 36 .“ ) . , ,., ●’.,. .A ,. , . Q This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the United States Government. Neither the United States nor the United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contrac- tors, subcontractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, express or im- plied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, com- pleteness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process dis- closed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Printed in the United States of America. Available from National Technical Information Service U. S. Department of Commerce 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, Virginia 22151 Price: Printed Copy $3.00; Microfiche $0.95 . I LA-5200 UC-2 ISSUED: March 1973 . ) . 1 Jalamos scientific laboratory of the university of California LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO 87544 Manhattan District History Nonscientific Aspects of Los Alamos Proiect Y 1942 through 1946 —-. 1 . The Trinity test, July 16, 1945. .. 111 . “ iv w- b Nagasaki. v . FOREWORD This volume of the Manhattan Engineer District History, by Edith C. Truslow who was a WAC 2nd Lietenant at the Project, gives a concise account of the nonscientific part of the Y Project at Los Alamos, New Mexico, from its inception through 1946, when the Atomic Energy Commission assumed control. The ultimate achievements performed at Project Y are well known. Little can be said to add to this page of world history. The purpose of this record is to present the facts of construction, organization, and personnel and of various problems faced and met by those responsible for assisting in the final accomplishment of the task set for Los Alamos. One of the chief difficulties in securing data for this volume arose from security restrictions during the early operations of the Project. Many of the transactions were carried on orally to ensure secrecy, and so no written record was preserved. In other instances, data were destroyed to further protect the secret of the bomb. This complete secrecy was one of the most amazing aspects of the entire program, but it produced one of the greatest obstacles to piecing the story together for historical purposes. Fortunately, many of those involved in the founding of Los Alamos were still at the Project in 1946 and could supply facts from actual experience. Their assistance and cooperation were invaluable. -d -d Foreword . ..vi Abstract . ...1 1. SITESELECTION . ...1 Purpose . 1 Requirements . 1 Sites Considered . ...2 Site Description . ...2 Access Roads . ...3 Structures . 3 Nomenclature . 3 11. LANDACQUISITION. ...7 Procedures . ,. 7 HistoryofAcquisition . 7 costs . ...9 HI, DESIGNANDENGINEERING . ...10 IV. CONSTRUCTION . ...11 General . ...11 SelectionofContractors . , . 11 Force Account . 23 DescriptionofWork .::::: . ...23 BuildingsandEquipment. ...23 OutlyingSatelliteSites . ...24 Utilities . 24 Progress . 38 costs . ...39 V. COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION . 40 General . ...40 Housing . ...40 Civilian Housing . ...40 Military Housing . ...61 * BuildingMaintenanceandRepair . 61 Ice Delivery . ,. ...61 I Heating . ...61 b- Garbage Disposal . ...64 Self-HelpLaundries . , . 64 Eating Places . , . , . 64 Fuller Lodge . ...64 North Mess . ...65 West Mess . 66 WACMessorWestCafeteria . 66 vii East Cafeteria . ...66 Military Messes . ...67 Commissary . ...67 . Post Exchanges . ...73 TheLosAlamosCommunityAssociation . 80 DirectConcessionContracts . 80 Post Office . 80 Police Department . 80 Military Police . ...80 Community Law . ...81 U.S.CommissionersCourt . 81 Fire Department . 82 Schools.....::::::: : : : . ...85 Medical Service . 85 Dental Service . 91 Veterinary Service . 91 SupplyandProcurement . 92 Suppl y . ...92 Procurement . 92 IntelligenceandSecurity . ...93 LiaisonwithOtherAgencies. ...95 Morale . ...95 Religion . ...95 MilitaryEducationalFacilities . 95 Recreation . 95 Transportation . 96 Miscellaneous Subjects . 99 Congressional Inquiries . 99 Town Council . ...99 Labor Recruiting . 99 Safety Record . ...100 OPAPricesand Regulations. ...100 DispositionofFunds . ...100 ClaimsagainsttheGovernment . 100 LegalandPatents . 101 Population Figures . 101 VI. MILITARYORGANIZATIONANDPERSONNEL . 102 Administration . 102 Military Personnel . ...102 APPENDIX EARLYS-SITEEXPERIENCES. ...107 ... VIII t- . MANHATTAN DISTRICT HISTORY NONSCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF LOS ALAMOS PROJECT Y 1942 THROUGH 1946 ABSTR4CT Recent wide interest by historians about this era has led the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to issue this edited version of an unpublished volume covering the construction, organization, and persomel of Project Y. An Appendix covering some early experi- ences at S Site has been added. —----- —._. __... _ .. .. .. .. ... ...... I. SITE SELECTION Purpose Access by roads and railroad was necessary for moving in personnel and material. By October of 1942, it had become increas- ingly evident, from the progress of experimental Sources of construction materials had to be developments supervised by the Manhattan En- near enough to keep costs reasonably low. gineer District at its other installations, that the immediate establishment of an additional research The population within a 100-mile radius of the site was necessary for solution of specific prob- site had to be sparse, to maintain safety and lems in production of a nuclear weapon. The security. purpose of this new installation was the develop- ment, final processing, assembly, and testing of Utility facilities, including power, water, and the atomic bomb. The contemplated scope of this fuel supply had to be available or conveniently part of the Manhattan Project was great enough developable. to justify a separate title; accordingly, it was named Project Y. Housing facilities had to be present to quarter at least the first personnel. Requirements The ownership and estimated value of land and speed of acquisition had to be considered. P Because the new Project was to be the most secret of the entire. Manhattan Engineer District Soil characteristics, timber density, and type L program, isolation was perhaps the first requisite of terrain also had to be carefully investigated for the site. However, many other factors had to as the basis for future construction. be considered: The location had to be remote from all sea The area had to be large enough to provide an coasts, as the possibility of attack still had to adequate testing ground. be considered. The climate had to be such that outdoor work The U.S. Engineer Office and Real Estate Sub- could continue through the winter months. office in Albuquerque surveyed several areas in 1 New Mexico for this site using these requirements The private land was used mainly for grazing, as guidance. Their reports show the emphasis so the purchase cost would be small. placed upon all of these points. Enough area was available to ensure safe spac- ing of the Project units. Sites Considered The nearest town was some 16 miles away, Sites at Gallup, Las Vegas, La Ventana, Jemez which tended to isolate the site. Springs, and Otowi, New Mexico, were surveyed. After careful investigation, the first three loca- The area was located on a mesa, making the tions were.