◆ SpookStack

Memo for the Director -h- 2/8/39 Justified the maintenance of the camp as a morale activity by pointing out that Langley Field was in a relatively isolated , location, end opportunities for amusenent were rather lisited in that locality. Dr. Lewis, in discussing the purposes of the camp with the investigating Azents, stated affirmatively that one ef the purposes of the camp was to provide an inducement for Congressmen, particularly members ef the Appropriations Connittes, to go to Langley Field so that they might observe work which was being done by the Laboratory. These officials advised the investigating Agents that the NACA was anxious, of course, to secure the services of young college graduates in their research activities, and that, consequently, they must compete with employers offering more inviting surroundings than those of the BACA Research Laboratorics, and that consequently the club- house was coneidered desirable and even necessary to place the NACA in a more advantageous position in dealing with its esployses. The clubhouse »sa etructure of about 60' in length by 254 in width, equipped with a large screen enclosed porch, which was used for sleeping quarters, aud was otherwise equipred as a country camp. Assigned to the NACA at Langley Field was a 45! motorboet, the property of the United States Goverment, known as the "Retriever®, which was used for official business, and inverti- gation showed that it had also been used by Congressional partiss and other Governmental officials for transportation to and from the clubhouse and for fishing parties. While the boat had in the pest been used hy HACA enployees for fishing parties, a charge of & was made to the employees for such use, cut of which anount the bait and tackle'were purchased, end whatever anount remained wac pot into the general clubhouse fund, Mo charge was made to the Congressional guests and other Governnental officials for the use of the "Retriever® and clubhouse, The Congressional parties and other official guests did, however, pay for the food actually con- @uned by them at the clubhouse, this payment being made directly to the Baca Fechange. the fpoiten fps ae