ATTACHMENT 8 Report of Meeting of Classification Board During Week of September 8, 1947 Dr. A. H. Holland Medical Branch Box 1 of 3 Folder Classification Board DOE-120894-E-64 REPOSITORY Oak Ridge Operations Records Holding Center COLLECTION Ship #603 HRE: 20 BOX No. 1 of 3 Loc: H-248-7 FOLDER Classification Board RESTRICTED Report of Meeting of Classification Board During Week of September 8, 1947 During the week of September 8, 1947, a Classification Board assembled in accordance with instructions of R.W. Cook, Deputy Manger, Field Operations, dated August 28, 1947, for the purpose of formulating standards of classification and the preparation of a comprehensive tabulation of particulars and examples of matters which should be grated TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, RESTRICTED, and UNCLASSIFIED. Those in attendance were: Lt. Col. Wm. R. Smith, Operations, CEW Charles A. Keller, Technical Information Branch, DEW A.H. Holland, M.D., Medical, CEW Russell H. Ball, Research Division, Berkeley Harry E. Parker, Operations Div., Research Branch, HEW W.K. Crane, Operations Div., Research Branch, HEW G.M. Hostetter, Clinton Production Division, Oak Ridge Paul L. Murphy, AEC X-10 Security Office T.J. Haycock, Clinton Production Division, K-25 R.B. Korsmeyer, K-25 Robert J. Speer, Clinton Production Division, Oak Ridge Sylvan Cromer, K-25 M. Rodin, Chicago Hoylande D. Young, Argonne National Laboratory M.M. Haring, Monsanto Chemical Company, Dayton E.A. Walker, AEC, Dayton George H. Lee, Patent Section, Oak Ridge G.B. Eyerly, Research Division, Oak Ridge Paul W. McDaniel, Division of Research, Washington John P. Howe, G.E., Atomic Power Laboratory, Schenectady F.R. Lesch, AEC, Schenectady H.A. Jackson, AEC, Schenectady A.L. Rydzewski, Security Division, Oak Ridge G.S. Brackett, Administrative Division, Oak Ridge H.C. McBirney, Y-12 W.T. Hays, Y-12 T.S. Chapman, Research Division, Oak Ridge H.A. Saller, Battelle Memorandum Institute, Columbus Edgar J. Murphy, Clinton Laboratories John Martens, AEC, Clinton Laboratories W.B. Daums, Clinton Laboratories This Board reviewed the proposed draft of GM Instruction _______, Security, Classification of Information. The Board concurred with the statements on the first five pages of this draft with the exceptions listed below: a. The term "Restricted Data" should be inclosed in quotation marks in all places in which it occurs in the document. -2- b. The table in subsection 2 b on page 3 should be deleted and the second sentence of the subsection should read in this manner: "Thus, classified matter may consist of 'Restricted Data' as defined in Atomic Energy Act of 1946 or other classified information and may be graded as TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, or RESTRICTED". c. Subsection 2 d on page 3 should be amended to include the word "Drafts" placed after the word "notes" and prior to the word "Etc." at the end of the subsection. d. Subsection 2 g on page 4 should be amended to read "TOP SECRET: Certain documents, information, and material, the security aspect of which is paramount and the unauthorized disclosure of loss of which would cause exceptionally grave danger to the nation shall be classified as TOP SECRET". e. Subsection 2 h on page 4 should be amended to insert "or loss" after disclosure so that the subsection reads" "SECRET: Certain documents, information and material the unauthorized disclosure or loss of which, etc." f. Subsection 2 j on page shall be amended by the deletion of the words "which require protection" and the substitution of the words "which should be denied uncontrolled circulation for reasons of administrative privacy, or which should be denied immediate publication until invention rights have been cleared or assembled with related papers for simultaneous publication in official release. While the Board agrees with the philosophy of pages 1 to 5 of the proposed instruction, it objects to the use of certain terminology. The use of the terms, TOP SECRET, SECRET, and CONFIDENTIAL for "Restricted Data" is considered objectionable in that these terms are also used by other government agencies for information which is not considered "Restricted Data". Particular objection is raised to the use of the term "Restricted" for information which does not come within the meaning of the term "Restricted Data". The board has not determined a satisfactory solution to the terminology but appreciates the confusion which results from the use of military terminology to designate "Restricted Data" and from the use of the term "Restricted" to identify a classification which is no "Restricted Data". The Board accepts the necessity for both a SECRET and a CONFIDENTIAL category only under the conditions that SECRET matter receive the treatment implied in the use of receipts and now accorded the unauthorized category "Secret Limited"; and that documentation and receipts be not required for CONFIDENTIAL matter. In case of the non-observance of -3- these conditions there is a strong feeling in the Board to discontinue the use of one of the categories. In the formation of examples for the purpose of preparing a comprehensive list, the Board has made no distinction between "Restricted Data" and other classified matter and has operated under the admittedly erroneous converse assumption that all matter classified CONFIDENTIAL and above would be treated as "Restricted Data" within the Commission and its contractors. If classified matter is marked only TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL without further identification as to whether or not it is "Restricted Data" it is subject to compromise in terms of the Atomic Energy Act although the security provisions applicable to information in those categories is maintained. The problem will be most acute in the distribution of information within other government agencies by personnel who have cognizance of Atomic Energy Commission activities. Concern of the Board arises from the fact that the clearance procedures required by other government agencies for the handling of material classified TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL, or RESTRICTED does not coincide with that of the Atomic Energy Act for the clearance of personnel handling "Restricted Data" of the same classification. Due to the diversity of individual interest and the limited time allowed the Board, it was not possible to arrive at complete agreement in the wording of examples tabulated in a comprehensive list of examples of the various grades of classified information. Consequently, examples are presented which are subject to entirely different interpretation by different agencies. The examples listed in pages one to eight of GM Instruction ____ have been found to be sufficiently broad as to be pertinent in general to most classified activities. It has been necessary to avoid the specific examples apparently desired to result from the conference due to controversy over specific statements or inability to state the example in unrevealing terms. Since the broad nature of the examples will necessitate numerous exceptions, it is believed that these examples cannot be considered as firm but should be used clearly as specified, i.e., only as guiding examples to be followed at the discretion of the classifying officer. Several members of the Board are emphatic in stating the principle that the example can be applied only in very general cases and must not be considered as mandatory. The Board found itself unable to evaluate the degree of danger to the nation residing in compromise of the various activities and the degree of unique importance connected with the various items. It recommends that a means be set up to establish and define these objectives. This might be accomplished by a permanent central classification board and associated local classification officers as discussed below. The heated discussion which occurred during the Board meeting with respect -4- to interpretation of the general examples furnished with the draft of GM Instruction ______ are an obvious indication of its inadequacy as a final criterion of classification. It becomes apparent early in the meeting that agreement could not be reached between various representatives as to the meaning of the examples and that the acceptance of the list would be a compromise between various opinions rather than a true evaluation of the examples in term of the definition of the various classification grades. The Board, therefore, recommends extensive further study shall precede the formulation of a classification guide for use by the rank and file. By comparison with the declassification guide the amount of effort which has been expended in the preparation is wholly insignificant and inadequate. To accomplish the preparation of a satisfactory classification guide, it is believed necessary to establish within the Commission a permanent full time classification board composed of competent scientific analysts who are able to evaluate technical data in terms of the benefit which a foreign nation could derive from its compromise or the embarrassment which could accrue to the Commission from its disclosure. To supplement the permanent classification board, who would rule on matters of policy, local representatives skilled in the above arts and occupying a position analogous to the Responsible Reviewers of the Declassification Branch are required to give local interpretations of policy statements. These local representatives would also be in a position to submit local questions requiring policy decisions to the permanent classification board. The classification board should be similar in character and composition to the Declassification Branch. There are apparent advantages in having classification authority delegated as an additional duty to the present Declassification Branch. It is anticipated that after sufficient experience, the classification board might prepare a classification guide which would be both acceptable to and consistent in all facilities. The present manner of listing examples indexed as to grade of classification is not considered suitable for the using agency. The form which is considered desirable is that of a tropical index which indicates the classification which should be applied to each of the individual items. It is suggested that the index to the project literature might be used as a starting point. Since the examples accompanying GM Instruction _____ are accepted only with reservation and in amended form, agreement on specific examples was not accomplished. However, specific examples submitted by the Clinton Production Division and the Hanford Engineer Works are forwarded without review or comment by the Board for consideration by the Washington headquarters. No uniform proposal was possible from research facilities. Appendix I Examples of Classified Matter 1. THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDING EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION OR MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE GRADED TOP SECRET: a. Production figures, unit costs, inventories, and schedules, both actual and forecast, referring to the production of uranium 235, uranium 233, plutonium and such other special materials which the Commission may designate from time to time as being in this category. Production figures obtained from Y-12 pilot plant shall be considered to be of this category. b. Vital information pertaining to the military use of uranium 235, uranium 233, plutonium and other materials specifically designated by the Commission. This critical information includes details of design, fabrication, time of use, shipping data pertaining thereto, and stockpile information of weapons in existence and under development. If details are partial, the SECRET classification may suffice. c. Now scientific discoveries believed at the time of discovery or later declared to be of potential major military significance. d. Quantities (the material itself) of uranium 235, uranium 253, and plutonium as may be established by the Commission from time to time as TOP SECRET material. (n.b. the Board recommends that the quantity be determined by a board consisting of a representative of the contractor and the AEC at each location, both of whom have intimate knowledge of the use of this material, have authority to classify these quantities of material SECRET or TOP SECRET. Quantities more than the safe amount should be treated as TOP SECRET while in transit, except wile in an approved exclusive area. e. Information concerning the utilization of atomic weapons where recommended by the Armed Forces. f Documents revealing comprehensive future operational plans for the Commission on matter of high overall policy. g. Information which would reveal the schedule, route or method of shipment of all top secret material or of secret material when such shipment is routed or schedule such as to indicate production or enable interception. (n.b. the Board considers this provision impossible to accomplish) h. Documents containing medical, radiological and other technical information vital to national defense, the common security and military secrecy. 1. THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDING EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION OR MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE GRADED SECRET: Unit costs, inventories and schedules, and assay data pertaining to uranium, thorium and plutonium or such other special materials as the Commission may direct, both actual and forecast, referring to research and/or development (pilot plants except as covered in 1 a) facilities of the Atomic Energy Commission). -2- b. Information regarding specific design details, diagrammatic or descriptive, of the complete basic or key equipment, apparatus, instruments or machinery developed for the Manhattan Project or the Commission and employed in the processing and production of uranium 233, uranium 235, and plutonium. In the electromagnetic plant, the calutron would be classified SECRET and the detailed design drawings of this instrument would be classified SECRET. In the Hanford Pile Plant, the lattice design dimensions of the piles, power levels, and chemical separation plants and the piles themselves would be classified SECRET. In the gaseous diffusion plant, the units and the details of the diffusion apparatus and pumps would be classified SECRET. c. Documents prepared from information developed for the Manhattan Project or the Commission containing complete flow sheets, diagrams or reactions including specific pressures, temperatures, voltages, rates, formulae or other operating details specifically related to a critical step in the preparation, processing, chemical separation, purification or metallurgy of uranium and thorium from the ore to the finished metal. d. Documents prepared from information developed for the Manhattan Project or the Commission containing complete flow sheets, diagrams or reactions including specific pressures, temperatures, voltages, rates, formulae or other operating details specifically related to a critical step in the preparation, processing, chemical specifically related to a critical step in the preparation, processing, chemical separation, purification or metallurgy of uranium 233, uranium 235, plutonium and their alloys, and such other materials as may be designated. e. "Information developed for the Manhattan Project or the AEC on the nuclear characteristics of fissionable isotopes of uranium, plutonium and thorium, capture, fission and scattering cross sections for neutrons of energies from thermo to 10 MEV, the number of neutrons produced per fission, spontaneous fission rates and energy distribution of fission neutrons". f. Documents containing information on the stocks and reserves of normal uranium, thorium, and such other materials as the Commission may from time to time designate. g. Information disclosing the existence of unique operational or production obstacles and difficulties, their specific characteristics and solutions. h. (1) All medical records, reports and correspondence which embodies or refers to other technical information classified secret or higher. (2) Certain selected human administrative experiments performed under M.E.D. (3) All medico-legal and insurance statistics which refer directly to process hazards. -3- (4) Claims, allegations or reports of injury on "investigation prohibited" cases where the material or process involved is considered to be classified secret. (5) All medical reports, references and correspondence dealing with certain special hazard problems, as for example, the medical aspects of criticality accidents. i. Details pertaining to features of special shipping containers, of SECRET and TOP SECRET material. j. Complete specifications of materials such as graphic, thorium, beryllium, etc., that are essential to and have been developed in connection with a self-substaining chain reaction or for special application. k. Information concerning the utilization of atomic weapons where recommended by the Armed Forces and where such information is not classifiable as TOP SECRET. l. Unique process information, such as the following: (1) The overall enrichment achieved by the electromagnetic, thermal diffusion, and the gaseous diffusion processes, the enrichment achieved per stage in each plant, and the isotopic constitution of uranium at any stage of the process. (2) Methods of manufacturing of the barrier used in the gaseous diffusion plant, the barrier itself, and the research, development, and testing connected with its manufacture and improvement. (3) Experimental, theoretical, and engineering work on converters, breeder, power and experimental piles; data and other information pertaining thereto. (4) Design and efficiency of neutron reflectors and shields specifically for piles. (5) Research, design, and operation of chemical processes involving extraction and decontamination of trans- uranic compounds. (6) Research, design, and operation of chemical processes for uranium extraction and decontamination from thorium. (7) Information pertaining to preparation, such as fabrication, canning, and testing of metallic uranium and thorium for pile irradiation. (8) Information pertaining to the preparation of certain designated materials together with research design and operations incidental thereto. m. Documents showing the meaning of a code; name or symbol connoting documents, material or operations classified as SECRET. -4- n. Safe combinations of repositories containing matter classified no higher than SECRET. o. Documents or information revealing future operational plans of individual facilities of the Commission, problems or proposals, matters of general policy and comprehensive reports not classifiable as TOP SECRET. 3. THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDING EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION OF MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE GRADED CONFIDENTIAL: a. Information revealing specific design details of incomplete components of basic key equipment, apparatus, instruments, or machinery employed in the processing and production of uranium 235, uranium 233, or plutonium, or other designated material which will disclose information regarding the nature of the process. b. Incomplete, uncoded flow sheets, diagrams or reactions, or specific pressures, temperatures, voltages, rates, formulae, and other operating details, related to a non-critical step in the preparation, processing, separation or purification of uranium and thorium from the ore, and of the separation of uranium 235, uranium 233, and plutonium, and other specifically designated materials which were developed for the Manhattan Project or for the Commission. c. Total inventories of stocks and reserve under the control of the Atomic Energy Commission of beryllium and beryllium oxide, deuterium and deuterium oxide, graphite and materials of similar importance to the Project. (n.b. The Clinton Production Division is not prepared to make a recommendation as to this paragraph. However, it feels that information disclosing production figures, production schedules, stocks or reserves (at least those maintained by the AEC) should be retained in the Secret category. d. Unique chemical and physical methods of analysis and testing, used as process control or acceptance tests in critical stages of the manufacture of fissionable material and other specially designated material when such information is not classified as SECRET or TOP SECRET. e. Information concerning the utilization of atomic weapons where recommended by the Armed Forces and where such information is not classified as TOP SECRET or as SECRET. f. Documents showing the meaning of a code, name or symbol connoting documents, material or operations classified as CONFIDENTIAL. Concerning technical and operating information which should not be disclosed to the general public except on control basis, such as non-critical specifications in the manufacturers of fissionable materials, technology, design, and fabrication of equipment and apparatus with specific application to a process is not indicated. RESTRICTED category: documents concerning operating information such as routine representative showing as of non-critical control forms offering only to a small portion of a process. -5- g. (1) All documents, claims, allegations and medical reports on injury on "investigation prohibited" cases, including reports of the Advisory Board on Occupational Disease Claims. (2) All "programmatic" medical research. (3) All records of exposure to classified substances. (4) All documents and correspondence which state, refer to or give intimation of known medical or public health hazards. (5) All documents and correspondence relating to matters of policy planning and procedures, the given knowledge of which might compromise or cause embarrassment to the Atomic Energy Commission and/or its contractors. 4. THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDING EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION OR MATTER WHICH SHOULD BE GRADED RESTRICTED. (Note: This does not refer to restricted data.) a. Documents concerning relatively unimportant administrative, fiscal and personnel matters which should not be disclosed to the general public except on a controlled basis, such as organization charts, and plans, policy-making regulations, working conditions of employees, etc. b. Information developed for the Manhattan Project or for the Commission, disclosing non-critical steps in the preparation, processing, separation, purification and metallurgy (if applicable) of beryllium and beryllium oxide, deuterium and deuterium oxide, graphite and materials of similar importance to the Project, except where these materials are incorporated with fissionable materials. c. Information which, although otherwise unclassified or has not been cleared for publication through the Patent Advisor or his representatives and the publication or public use of which might adversely affect the patent position of the Government, such as: (1) Information which describes or discloses any novel devise, machine, apparatus, article, process, method, or composition. (2) Information which proports to establish scientific priority and which might conflict with legally determined priority of invention. 4. UNCLASSIFIED: (Refer to Declassification Guide) a. The following materials which are or have been classified shall in the future be classified solely on the basis of that information which can be obtained from them. This may be used as a guiding principle for other materials except for hose which are fissionable. (1) Natural uranium and its compounds. (2) Thorium and its compounds. -6- (3) Beryllium and its compounds. (4) Graphite. (5) Deuterium and its compounds. (6) Radium and its compounds. (7) Radium-beryllium sources. (8) B10 and its compounds. (9) Radio-isotopes. (10) Stable-isotopes. Examples of items from which classified information (restricted data) may be obtained are: (1) Case of uranium and thorium. (a) Process feed stock (b) Fabricated pieces which would reveal significant reactor (bomb) dimensions. (c) Quantities of material which might reveal amounts used in processes, schedules of production and development of future plans. (2) Beryllium and graphite. (a) Reactor parts (b) Special application b. Information of a scientific or technical nature which relates exclusively to certain fields of science as announced from time to time by the Atomic Energy Commission. Such information will not be connected with the Atomic Energy Commission in such a way as to disclose the motivation for development or a classified application of the information. Any newly developed information in these fields which could have application in plants for the manufacture of classified substances or to military utilization of atomic energy must be given an appropriate classification. It shall be the responsibility of the originator of each document concerned to see that a document issued as "unclassified" under the provisions of this sub- paragraph is properly scrutinized to ascertain that security of information and patent rights of the government are protected. The provisions of this sub-paragraph are applicable to the following: (1) Instruments, as follows: (a) Counters (b) Ionization chambers (c) Energy-insensitive neutron detectors - 7 - (d) Cyclotrons, van De Graff generators, betatrons, and other particle accelerators (e) Electronic and electrical circuits relevant to the above (2) Fluorocarbon chemistry and manufacture (3) Fluorine chemistry (4) All medical and biological documents, reports and research not directly relating to experimental human administration, process hazards, contamination hazards or public health hazards, and which will not result in mass hysteria on the part of employees or the public, or in idle speculation, or cause adverse claims against the Atomic Energy Commission and/or its contractors. (5) Developments, including those from the Health Protection point of view, in the design and construction of laboratories, instruments and equipment provided it does not reveal interest in development of specific processes and is not of primary interest to technology rather than basic research. c. Documents relating to unclassified activities of all types, including routine administrative matters and the like. d. Information already officially released by the Manhattan District or by the Atomic Energy Commission. Matter which purports to contain only "previously released information" will be carefully scrutinized to insure that no change in meaning or addition of classified facts has been made. 6. ACCUMULATIONS OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION: a. It must be recognized in assigning appropriate classification to information that it is possible to accumulate, into one report, file, library, or vault, so many facts, each one of a relatively low "classification," that the accumulation gains a resulting classification higher than any of the individual parts. Thus, a library or vault containing a great many SECRET reports and documents might contain so much and so comprehensive an accumulation of such data as to warrant the consideration of the library or vault as TOP SECRET. 7. CONTRACTS AND FISCAL DOCUMENTS: a. Contracts and fiscal documents (including but not limited to cost reports, fiscal reports and vouchers) will be classified only when the information contained therein is of such a nature that the document can be considered as "classified matter" as defined in sub-paragraph 2.b. of this Instruction. The various degrees of classification are based on the results of unauthorized disclosure or loss of classified matter and are defined in sub-paragraph 2 g., -8- h., i., and j. of this Instruction. These definitions will be used in establishing the degree of classification of individual contract and fiscal documents containing "classified matter". RESTRICTED