Correspondence, telegrams statements, speeches, petitions, and printed material pertain to national defense policies of the United States, U. S. involvement in World War II, preparation for war, mobilization, and military policy not directly connected with the War or Navy departments. The major portion ot the material is concentrated in the late 1930's and in the 1940's. Information during the early 1930's generally relates to disarmament, defense appropriations, and the development of various branches of the armed services. With the outbreak of hostilities in Spain in 1936, there is correspondence concerning neutrality and an arms embargo. Most of the material from the beginning of World War II in Europe through the entry of the United States into the war revolves around tile issues of keeping the United States out of a "European" war, military conscription, and neutrality versus aid to the Allies. Correspondence during the war years relates largely to the prosecution of the war and to the home front. Major topics of concern include conscription and the various draft laws, including age limits, drafting single and married men, and the drafting of women; rationing and shortages; the Office of Price Administration (OPA) and its policies; and the Federal Works Administration. Toward the end of the war, thoughts turn to peacetime conscription and the Universal Military Training Bill, the continuation of the OPA, and the return of servicemen to the United States. The McMahon Bill of 1946 provided for civilian control over atomic research, Material is arranged chronologically by month.