Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : GIA-Kurvu ,787RO0070@110009-6
ORD 0390-74
29 January 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Trip Report, 23-25 January 1974
Stanford Research Institute, Paranormal
Investigations
SG1 I imet with
Drs. Cox Jones Puthoff, and Tayg of SRI for about eight
.1 1?
hours on 24 January and three hours on 25 January to discuss
procedures, tasks and guidelines and to reach contractual
agreement on the one-year ($150K) effort. Attached are
annotated copies of the "tasks" and "guidelines" papers
which provided a partial foundation for the discussions.
This memorandum merely elucidates those documents as . I
necessary and covers briefly such other matters and agree-
ments or unresolved points as are appropriate for the
record.
2. Contractual Agreement: Both SRI's and OTS's con-
tract officers were present for these portions of the discussions
and the "proposed Work Statement" (also attached) was adopted
as the contractual base with the following modifications:
C,
a. Somewhat more flexibility in the
apportionment of time was provided by inserting
"approximately" before each of the percentiles
listed under "basic research" on page 3.
0
b. Reporting procedures will call for
0
brief written reports each month and two lengthy
interim reports in May and September 1974, as
well as a final report in. February 197S.
SG1
B
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6
Approved For Release 2003/09/1U-TW-KL-)M "-707RO0070bl 10009-6
ORD 0390-74
C. All reports will contain accounts of
technical progress and financial status for each
of the two task areas--applied and basic research.
d. Following receipt of the two interim
reports, the SRI investigators will visit D.C. for
conferences on achievements and plans and, possibly,
for presentations to a broader sponsor audience.
SG1 I
It was also agreed that SRI's reports should be UNCLASSIFIED
rather than SECRET and this change in the contract draft will
be adopted once F_ informs the OTS contracts officer
that he has obtained ORD/PRB approval, if necessary. TE: It
was separately agreed between I and __J that
they should visit the SRI site-a-t-the very least at the mid-
points between SRI reports [i.e., April, July and November],
thus providing for at least five detailed conferences during
the project year.)
SG1 I
SG11
3. Guidelines: (See Attached Memorandum) The guidelines
were adopted with the following modifications and clarifica-
tions:
a. The data control restrictions (para. 2)
do not apply to cleared SRI personnel and con-
sultants essential for supporting special phases
of research (e.g., medical, sensory, behavioral
and neurophysiological testing).
0 11-1
b. The explicit addition of F
to the (para. 3) list of "authorized" sponsor
personnel.
C. There were several longthy discussions
in which we tried to clarify the need for and
intent of language relating to "authorized
personnel" -- stressing the practical advantages
and the bureaucratic necessities, as well as the
confusion which characterize earlier efforts
largely because such controls were not observed.
2
SG1 I
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6
Approved For Release 200310911m!.N" QQ n0787ROO0706110009-6
ORD 0390-74
We stressed in a number of ways (and it seems
that SRI finally understood) that these were not
discriminatory measures aimed at putting-down
any individuals or at precluding contacts which
SRI felt were essential; SRI could, naturally,
continue to relate to other sponsor personnel on
paranormal theory or on other aspects reflecting
legitimate sponsor interest and functions--they
simply would not talk to unauthorized sponsor
personnel about this project without first obtain-
ing the approval of the project officer.
d. With respect to "other sponsorship" it
was noted that the contract specified we were
buying only 75% of the time of SRI's paranormal
0
investigators and that, in fact, SRI now has two
other contracts in this field:
SGFOIA2
SG1D
3
Approved For Release 2003109110 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6
6110009-6
Approved For Release 2003/09110 1 ClA-RDP9&Q0787R00070
ORD 0390-74
SG1 I
SG1H
e. Three other security aspects were
discussed:
- The possibility of clearing at least
some of the "superstars" such as Pat Price,
thereby making for easier handling and more
security; I iwill look into the advis-
abilitv of this cour--,e-
f. With respect to publication of data, SRI
mentioned "Naturels" invitation (see editorial,
attached) to publish the results of -recent research
and showcd us an early draft of an article they intend
to submit--focussing largely on the Price OOB work; we
I
will see the final draft before they sent it to "Nature"
4
Approved For Release 2003109110 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787RO007001 10009-5
ORD 0390-74
4. Tasks: (See attached outline.) The "Arl and "B"
annotations on the attached indicate tasks to be "implemented"
and those to be "considered,11 respectively. SRI will have to
consult a number of its own specialists to determine exactly
what devices/instrumentation are available and there might be
some further modification as a consequence -- but, it was
clearly agreed that, to the extent possible, all the indicated
tests should be undertaken and that, in addition, other useful
possibilities should be explored. SRI was quite receptive to
the whole thrust and intent of the basic research tasks -- all
of which will be reported on separately in the monthly and interim
reports. Noteworthy comments on the "tasks" are as follows:
a: Ourl will also handle the
SG1 I Handi@riting oaTTpleS an7cF,---ią possible, all of the
"In-Depth Interview" exc(,nt -Fnr the medical and SG1 I
psychiatric portions. I _Jwill discuss this
SGIA with It was tentatively agreed that the psychiatric
portion might be omitted.
b. The Part I testing of the subjects will be
done concurrent with the applied research (i.e., not
delayed until later in the year) and, while all the
tests will be employed at the outset, it is hoped that
by mid-year there might be sufficient evidence to
permit greater focus. The Part II testing (neurophysio-
logical correlates) will be done as appropriate during
the course of the applied research and these results will
be intearated with the medical,, sensory and behavioral
tests in an attempt to find cues for focus.
C. SRI bought the "referee" concept and might
use their blue-ribbon panel for.this purpose; but Otis
and Pineo will not be used (there is a serious personality
clash with regards to Otis).
d. An additional guideline, to the effect that
the investigators would not take part in the experi-
ments (O.G. as "senders," etc.) was agreed upon; in
0 51 5
particular with respect to one possible subject (Hella
HAIMID) , however, Tara might be used one time to establish
a baseline -- but such data should be identified and
handled separately.
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6
110009-6
Approved For Release'2003/^^"^ 1%OMQM=0070
ORD 0390-74
e. As for the subjects, it Vias tentatively
agreed that there would be three "superstars"
(probably: PRICE, S14AN and a thrid yet to be
identified -- possibly HAMID or ELGIN), three
run-of-the-mill psychics and three controls
(not to include any of the research team).
f. It was agreed that the sponsor might try
to provide some of the testing gear (e.g., the
-aradiometer F 1will check] and polygraph SG11
SG1 I 1wiTT checki.
g. As for the self-inventory check-list
to be filled out by the subjects on the morning
of each test day, we agreed to ask if SG11
lie had or knew of any existing inst=rume=nt ;ti:al micht
serve.
Attachments
6
SG1 I
Approved For Release 2003/09/10 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0700110009-6