Nikola Tesla FBI Files - Page 10

JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
      DIRECTOR
 

Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Washington, D. C.

   JBL:ed

January 11, 1943

MEMORANDUM FOR THE

                  RE:   UNKNOWN SUBJEC EXPURTMENTS A OF NIKOLA TESLA ESPIONAGE - M

     Nikola Tesla, one of the world's outstanding in the electrical field, died at his residence in the York City, on January 7, 1943. In the course of conducted many experiments with respect to the transmission of by means of radio and what is commonly called the Death Ray. His with respect to the wireless transmission of electrical been completed and perfected, and Tesla had also conceived and a revolutionary type of torpedo which is not in use by any nation present time. The specifications, explanations of the basic theories, and working models of Tesla's scientific endeavors are reported to be strong his effects. Tesla is reported to have some 80 trunks in different places containing transcripts and plans having to do with his experiments as well as a working model of one of his developments in the safety deposit box at the Governor Clinton Hotel.

     Information concerning Tesla's experiment has been reported to the New York Office by A. N. Spanel and Bloyce Fitzgerald, the latter an electrical engineer who had been quite close to Tesla. Both of these individuals have indicated that no steps have been taken to preserve Tesla's records and models or to keep them from falling into the hands of individuals sympathetic to the Axis powers.

     Tesla has a distant relative by the name of Sava Kosanovich, whom he intensely disliked. Kosanovich is reported to be taking steps to get possession of these important documents and plans, and Spanel believes there is a strong likelihood that Kosanovich will make such information available to the enemy. On January 7, 1943, Kosanovich accompanied by George Clark, in charge of the Museum and Laboratory for RCA, and Kenneth Swezey of Brooklyn, New York, entered Tesla's rooms at the Hotel New Yorker where, with the aid of a locksmith, they broke into a safe in which Tesla kept some of his valuable papers, including important electrical formulae, designs, et cetera.

     Mr. Spanel, in addition to reporting there developments to the Bureau, has also advised the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Division, a Mr. Morkin of the Department of Justice in Washington, and Dr. Lozado, one of the advisors to Vice President Wallace. Lozado advised Spanel that the Government was vitally interested in the effects of Tesla and requested that Spanel loose no time in doing all he could to preserve them.