NO. I ETHNOGEOGRAPHIC BOARD — BENNETT 33 



the roster definitely overlaps the information service category of 

 this history. 



I. LISTS OF SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL 



The staff drew up lists of specialized area personnel both on request 

 from an agency and in anticipation of needs. Some of these had a 

 confidential, restricted distribution ; others, considered to be of w^ide 

 interest, were mimeographed. In a very real sense these lists served 

 the purpose of a cross-index to the roster. Examples of such pre- 

 pared lists are : 



Confidential personnel list of Thailand. 



Confidential personnel list of French Indo-China. 



Confidential personnel list of Malaya. 



List of Russian-speaking authorities. 



Partial list of Oceania experts in Washington. 



Some of the lists contained rather detailed information, others 

 were simple, depending on the purpose. The list of Oceania experts 

 in Washington includes name, office address and phone number 

 in Washington, profession, and the specific islands known. This 

 was sent around with a note asking for additions and corrections, 

 and many were submitted. Following this, the Board built up a more 

 extensive file of scientists and regional specialists in or near Wash- 

 ington, which included over i,ooo names and was constantly revised. 

 This file enabled the Board to bring questioner and expert together 

 without delay. 



Most requests were for the names of individuals who had lived 

 or traveled in some area. Some were turned over to the cooperating 

 committees for answers. For example, the Africa committee handled 

 an Office of Strategic Services request for a short list of business- 

 men, government employees, and native leaders, resident in Liberia ; 

 and an Army request for individuals with experience in Africa who 

 had served in any branch of the Armed Forces previous to 1935. 



A reply to a simple request, such as a list of people who had lived 

 or traveled in Gambia, included the name, address, business or pro- 

 fession, and months and years residence in the area. Sometimes the 

 names of those who appeared to be most suitable in terms of the 

 request were starred. Some requests were very specific. One called 

 for an evaluated list of personnel having an intimate knowledge of 

 coastal conditions in (i) Louisiade Archipelago; (2) South Papuan 

 Coast, particularly east of 146° east longitude; (3) Bismarck Archi- 

 pelago. At least one conchologist was wanted who knew each of the 

 areas. The list was sent, shell specialists and all, within 6 days. Some 



