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MEMO
TO: Charles J. Cook DATE: 11 November 1977
FROM: Ray L. Leadabrand LOCATION:
SUBJECT: Policy for ESP Research at SRI CC:
I have reviewed the two possible draft policies you have given me with
considerable dismay.
The first one, prepared by Ernie Moore (dated 10/12/77), sets up a policing
force to Control the research activity. It also completely short circuits all
normal research management functions by its take over of these functions by the
committee. I cannot see that this approach has much to offer either the researchers,
their research Managers@, or SRI,
In the one you mailed me on your trip (dated 10/31/77), 1 felt you got bogged down
in trying to define what kind of ESP research we should undertake. I really don't
disagree with your opinions but I feel that to put such detailed restriction in a
11policy" is undesirable.
As a result of these shortcomings, I've tried to put down what I feel I need
(and the ESP research staff needs) as.a policy and as protection from overcontrol
of the research. The attached two pages list the policy's objectives as I see
them. Using this as a basis and framework I have attempted to write a broadly
based policy which allows all the major and important aspects to be covered, but
without the needless detail. I hope you agree.
I feel that the oversight review committee should consist of SRI staff and out-
siders and must report at the highest level of the organization as the committee's
concerns, or lack of concdrns about this controversial research area must be
intimately understood at that level. The draft policy doesn't state it but the
committee must be cleared at the Sl SAO code word level. I have suggested some
possible SRI staff member names for the committee, but these are only suggestions.
Specific suggestions for the SRI members are:
Dave Elliott
Don Scheuch
0. G. Villard, Jr.
Allen Peterson
A professional magician and a very high level physicist will be brought in from
outside SRI to complete the committee roster. I do believe it is terribly
important that the committee be peopled by senior staff that are agnostic toward
ESP and not as "believers" or as hard-atheists.
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Approved For Releup 2003/09/10 : CIA,-RDP96-00787ROO0200020035-2
VW
C. J. Cook - 2
11 November 1977
The mechanics I suggest is to have Charlie Anderson issue this policy to the
management council, thus implementing it for the house. I've even written
what I think he should say in the covering memo when he distributes the policy.
I look forward to discussing this with you.
RLL:fs
Enclosures: Objectives of the Policy
Draft memo from C. A. Anderson
Draft Policy
cc: D. Johnson
H. Puthof f 61-11@
R. Targ
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200020035-2