Nikola Tesla FBI Files - Page 37

Office Memorandum ● UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO             :  L. V. BOARDMAN            DATE: June 29, 1955
FROM       :  A. H. BELMONT
SUBJECT  :  NIKOLA TESLA
                     MISCELLANEOUS – INFORMATION CONCERNING (ESPIONAGE)

        Nikola Tesla, a native of Yugoslavia, was a famous electrical inventor who died in New York City in 1943 where he had lived for many years. In attached letter to Bureau dated 6-25-55 Kenneth M. Swezey, Brooklyn, New York, advises he is gathering material to help in a nation-wide commemoration of Tesla's hundredth birth anniversary in 1956. Swezey relates he was present when Tesla's safe was opened by friends after his death and advises the contents were thereafter replaced and then impounded by the United States Alien Property Custodian. Later the safe was removed to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, to be installed in a Tesla Museum. Missing from Tesla's effects is a gold Edison medal he had been awarded. Swezey is seeking to locate the medal and has been advised by the Office of Alien Property (OAP) that OAP held none of Tesla's property. Swezey states he has heard the FBI assisted OAP in handling Tesla's effects while in storage, and accordingly, he asks whether Bureau could assist him in locating the Edison medal. Re FBI's assistance to OAP Swezey mentions that in the Tesla biography ("The Prodigal Genius" - 1944) by John O'Neill it was stated FBI broke into Tesla's safe the day he died (1-8-43 to protect contents from enemy hands). Swezey notes this same comment appears in article ("The Genius Who Walked Alone") by Alfred H. Sinks in the June, 1955, "Coronet." Swezey says he knows FBI did not do this. [REDUCTED] Bureau did not enter into Tesla safe matter upon Department’s advice it was being handled by OAP. Bureau previously aware of comment in O'Neill's book. [REDUCTED] In 1945 Sinks requested for his use as author data re Bureau’s microfilm procedure. Was advised no such data available for publication.

Enclosure
100-2237
cc – 1 – 65-47953
Ticklers – Mr. Bird
                Mr. Belmont
                Mr. Boardman

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