Series 1: Business Files of the Amazon Division (1943-1945), contains a mixture of correspondence, memoranda and reports. While it reflects an array of topics, the series lacks depth and completeness. For instance, there are many inferences to previous events and letters which are never fully annotated or followed up. However, this does not detract from the over-all interest and concerns of the main office in Manaos.

The branch agencies are located in individual folders except for Guajara Mirim. All the branches are mentioned in the general folder. A common thread found throughout all agencies was a lack of harmony between its members. Evidence of this strife is found in the correspondence in the form of questions dealing with the hierarchy of authority. A simple example is the explicit directions given about authorization for signatures on checks. Another case of internal disruption was the need for a policy to handle rumor control.

While problems arose between employees of the Amazon Division, difficulty was also encountered in dealing with the environment of the Amazon River basin. Due to the terrain, the Division had difficulties with the transportation of people, luggage and rubber products. Concerns included such areas as soil, disease, and weather conditions. In and of itself, production yielded numerous problems such as speed, damaged trees and a limited rubber yield. Managerial problems stemmed from a conflict between American and Brazilian working attitudes. The concept of work was approached by two different cultures and rarely did they mesh. There was even a hint of sabotage from the Indians of the Amazon River although there was a lack of concrete evidence to prove such acts.

Two major events which affected the day-to-day operations of the Rubber Development Corporation were the Bylandt incident and the Brazil Nut purchase. The Bylandt incident was sparked by the rumor mill. Bylandt reported a "grating on the side" job from a rumor he heard third hand and repeated it without going through the proper channels in order to properly report what he heard. The rumor made its way to Washington where Philip Williams heard about it. Williams' correspondence reflects his displeasure over the handling of the problem and the aftermath of Bylandt's actions.

A major amount of detailed correspondence is concentrated on the Brazil Nut Purchase. It was thought that the purchasing of the nuts from Brazil and the selling of them to eager American buyers would increase rubber production. The link between these two events is never fully explained. With a profit in mind, the nuts were bought for one million dollars. However, due to lack of transportation, the nuts never made it to the American buyers, rather they rotted in storage. Instead of a profit, the Division lost eight hundred thousand dollars. Ultimately, the failure of this project did nothing to increase rubber production.

The materials in this series are arranged alphabetically by subject.

4 boxes

Series 2: Financial Files of the Amazon Division (1943-1945) includes reports, recapitulations, inventory lists and correspondence. In general, there is a heavy emphasis on graphs rather than words. There are charts referring to stocks, accounts, operating expenses and salaries. Most of the statistical information was addressed to C. Homer McDuff whereas the correspondence was addressed to Philip H. Williams. Information relating to agency branches is found in the Inventories and Sales & Collection Recapitulations folders.

The materials in this series are arranged alphabetically by subject.

2 boxes

Series 3: Management Reports (1942-1945) contains weekly and monthly correspondence. Personnel records hold staff evaluations and lists of incoming and outgoing correspondence concerning managerial activities. There are a few charts that present information about transferred material, payroll and personnel action. Some of the departments represented are construction, marine & small boats, rubber procurement and photography. The inclusion of these reports helps broaden the understanding of the Division's physical structure. Additionally, procedure and policy manuals are included in the files of various departments.

The materials in this series are arranged in chronological order.

2 boxes

Series 4: Memoranda (1942-1945) encompasses a large amount of instructive guides for two divisions: Head Accountants and Special Representatives. The real value of this series is that it reflects the behind-the-scenes activities concerning these two divisions of RDC. The accountants' folders contain instructions for local audits, updates from policy makers, schedules, use of accounts and the transportation of American workers and their families. The Representative folders contain instructions for various duties and descriptions of policy.

The materials in this series are arranged numerically within each of the two divisions.

1 box

Series 5: Sales and Accounting Records (1942-1945) includes the personal daily notes of Philip H. Williams from July 1944 to January 1945 were dictated to and transcribed by his secretary. Basically, these notes present a listing of his daily concerns. Important contacts of the day are arranged by month. Also included are warehouse inventory lists representing various departments and projects. In addition there are two folders pertaining to a bank account of RDC in William's name.

The materials in this section are arranged into three main groups: Personal Diary Notes, Inventory, and Bank Account information. Within the personal diary notes group, important contacts of the day are arranged by month. The inventory lists are arranged by department and the bank account information is arranged as two files, the first includes commercial department sales records and the second includes records for Special collections, operating, and revolving funds.

2 boxes

Series 6: Technicians Reports (1942-1945) consists of reports submitted by the technicians of the RDC. Each report contains information concerning an already existing or respective rubber site. Every report includes information on location, statement of purpose, itinerary, conclusion and recommendations. Also, transportation, speed of action and supplies are frequently commented on. The physical attributes of the location are described such as soil, altitude, rainfall, tree density, and quality of rubber. Generally, maps are included and show the routes taken to the site. Finally, there is a fascinating and detailed Rio Negro diary accounting the daily travel events of two technicians.

The reports in this series are arranged in two sections: by technician's name and, by region. Both sections are arranged alphabetically.

5 boxes

Series 7: Philip H. Williams, Correspondence [Numerical File] (1943-1945) consists of William's correspondence, mostly related to routine management. There are many references to transportation, mail routes, supplies, and incidents among employees. There are often references to confidential matters which required delicate clarification and handling. Many of the topics and events overlap with Series I: Business Files of the Amazon Division (1942-1945). For example, the Bylandt report and the Brazilian Nut Purchase were important topics addressed in this series under a confidential heading.

The correspondence in this series is arranged numerically by correspondence number.

9 boxes

Series 8: Printed Material (1943-1945) is a collection of newspaper clippings which document the Division's public relations and the great public interest surrounding the Rubber Development Corporation. The overwhelming majority are from United States publications. Oversized articles are in Series 10: Oversize Material.

The newspaper clippings in this series are in no particular order.

1 box

Series 9: Photographs (1942-1945) contain photographs which were all originally found in Series 1: Business Files of the Amazon division (1943-1945). The photographs include photographs taken of bank account records and financial and transaction information related to the P.H. Williams Revolving Fund CR, the bank account-RDC in name of P.H. Williams, financial information from the Branch Agency-Rio Branco, transaction information with Brazil Forest Products, Brazil Nut Purchase, and Loss-Merchandise in Transit. Also included are passport photos of Mr. Williams and photographs of rubber tapping.

The photographs are arranged into seven groups housed together in one box: Bank Account--RDC in the Name of P.H. Williams, Branch Agency-Rio Branco, Brazil Forest Products, Brazil Nut Purchse, Loss-Merchandise in Transit, Passport photos, and Rubber Tapping.

1 box

Series 10: Oversize Material (1942-1945) contains miscellaneous newspaper articles in a separate oversized folder.

The materials in this series are in no particular order.

1 folder