Evening star., 1943-07-18
Historical Records
Dug Out Of Archives
To Aid War Effort

National Archives may be a de-
pository for supposedly dead rec
ords," but because Of the war they
have come to life and are doing
their share to win the confict-both
on the battle front and in industrial
fields.
t- Thad Page, executive secretary to
Archivist Solon Justus Buck, said
yesterday that more than 1000 in
quiries for old records are received
= each day. Some of the questions
involve records of Revolutionary
War days.
In many cases, he said, industrial
firms had inadequate information
concerning their properties and
called on National Archives to fill
In with background.
California had given up operations
on chrome ore deposit as too
costly. Then, with the advent of
the war, officials wanted to know
what was left of the deposits and
what had been done through Federal
research in the region. A note to
Archives revealed there was a con-
siderable amount Of ore remaining
on the company's property, though
Of low grade.
49,. Now Producing Chrome.
IS The Bureau of Mines had made
preliminary survey of its prospects
and many years later the report was
sent to the Archives for filing. The
firm located the reports; reopened
the workings, and today is produc-
. ing chrome for war industries.
Many Of the requests for informa-
ton pertain to the last war and
have to do with types of procedure
followed on such things as DISPOSE
tion of alien-held property, recovery
of abandoned oil wells, mines, and
manufacturing plants. Mr.. Page
said there is an increasing number
OF inquiries coming in daily from
the armed forces about what was
done during the last war under con-
ditions similar to the present. The
preserved records provide the in
formation.
Many of these requests from the
services involve supply problems,
p storage of materials, and sources of
production. However, 1t was not
disclosed as to how this BACKGROUND
material was being used in the pres
ent war.
Some Archives Secret.
Questions which involve research
Into Revolutionary War days pri-
marily are concerned with land
titles, battle reports from the War
Department, and armament develop
ments. Many of the Archives divi-
sions are closed to the public and
can only be entered by special per-
mission. One of these is the place
where war records are held in steel,
freproof vaults. However, these
can be entered on certif1cation that
She material sought is for utiliza-
tion In the war effort and to be
held confidence.
The Archives are governed by Ger
tain restrictions set up by the Fed
eral agencies depositing materials.
As an illustration, the Department
Of Justice gives free access to ma
serial over 40 years old; limited in
resignation OF more recent documents
and reports, and other papers on
recent activities are tabled con-
f1dential unless proper need for the
papers is shown by specification.
The exhibition hall, nevertheless
still Is open to the general public
and at present there is a display
OF the writings of Thomas Jefferson.
The flrst of next month a new ex-
hlbt will be shown which will dis
play German propaganda during
the last war. This will include
pamphlets, posters and handbills
circulated in the Allied countries as
an attempt to undermine civilian
morale. They are expected to be
contrasted with our own statements
of the facts