TRIP REPORT, 23-25 JANUARY 1974 STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
November 4, 2016
Document Release Date: 
September 5, 2003
Sequence Number: 
9
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
January 29, 1974
Content Type: 
MFR
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PDF icon CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6.pdf208.18 KB
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Approved For Release 2003/09/10: - 787R00070b110009-6 29 January 1974 SUBJECT: Trip Report, 23-25 January 1974 Stanford Research Institute, Paranormal Investigations 1? I Imet with Drs. Cox, Jones, Puthoff, and Targ of SRI for about eight 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 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: 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. b. Reporting procedures will call for brief written reports each month and two lengthy interim reports in May and September 1974, as well as a final report in. February 1975. SG1 B Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/1 - - - 787R00070b110009-6 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. 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 informs the OTS contracts officer that he has obtained ORD/PRB approval, if necessary.- NOTE: It was separately agreed between and that they should visit the SRI site at 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.) 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). b. The explicit addition of to the (para. 3) list of "authorized" sponsor personnel. c. There were several lengthy 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. SG1I SG1I Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/1 - 7878000706110009-6 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 investigators and that, in fact, SRI now has two other contracts in this field: SGFOIA2 SG1D Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6 Approved For Release 2003/09110: CIA-RD - 87R000706110009-6 ORD 0390-74 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; will look into the advis- ability of this course; f. With respect to publication of data, SRI mentioned "Nature's" invitation (see editorial, attached) to publish the results of recent research and showed us an early draft of an article they intend to submit--focussing largely on the Price OOB work; we will see the final draft before they sent it to "Nature". Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R00070041OOII9 b ORD 0390-74 4. Tasks: (See attached outline.) The "A" and "B" annotations on the attached indicate tasks to be "implemented" and those to be "considered," 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. Our will also handle the Handwriting sE_ and, i possible, all of the "In-Depth Interview" exce t fo ~_f he medical and psychiatric portions. will discuss this SG1I 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 integrated 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 (e.g., as "senders," etc.) was agreed upon; in particular with respect to one possible subject (I-Iella HAMID), however, Targ 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-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6 Approved For Release '2003/ 0070.110009-6 ORD 0390-74 e. As for the subjects, it was tentatively agreed that there would be three "superstars" (probably: PRICE, SWAN and a thrid yet to be identified -- possibly I-IAMID 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 gradiometer I I will check] and polygra h wi c ec p 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 he had or knew of any existing instrument that might serve. SG1I SG1I SG1I Attachments Approved For Release 2003/09/10 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000700110009-6