About this Collection

The M.W.A.K. Columbian (retitled The Columbian in 1938) was published by the Safety Department for Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Company, the contractors hired to construct the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state. This publication includes notices about safety including safety tips and statistics about injuries on the job site. The publication also served as a news source providing information about local events and advertisements for local stores and movie theaters. M. Pete Shrauger is listed as the editor over the course of the newsletter's run. These issues were scanned from either the Roy Dimond Collection (SPC 012-0704) or the Donald Beaty Papers (SPC 982-0165).

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M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 1, No. 25

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the creation of concrete blocks for the dam, injuries particular to cement workers, and the upcoming pouring of block 40.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 1, No. 26

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the purchasing of supplies and equipment for the dam, a the elimination of a conveyor at the east side excavation site, and the opening of the reading room.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 1, No. 27

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about Christmas, a Christmas party at Meade Park, and the order of tunnel forms for grout tunnels.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 1

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains a review of work performed in 1935, and articles about the implementation of a safety questionnaire, and the removal of dirt from the east side construction site.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 2

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the use of timber to help construct the bucket below blocks 39 and 40, the prevalence of eye injuries on the site, a Leap Year dance, and conveyors on the east side.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 3

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the accounting department, the role of hard had linings in preventing injury, and increasing employment on the construction site. Page 9 marked as another page 7.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 4

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the Mason City hospital, the dangers of working with concrete and cement, and the opening of the highway bridge. Page 10 is blank.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 5

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the east side of the construction site, treatment for chemical injuries from working with cement, and the role of the Columbia Basin project in national defense.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 6

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the Bureau of Reclamation, the prevalence of nail puncture wounds, and concrete pouring on the east side of the site.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 7

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the excavation bridge for shuttling supplies from the west side of the site to the east, the dangers of working in snow, and the construction of a wooden crib on block 40 to facilitate the pouring of the foundation. Page 7 is cut off at the top.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 8

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the westmix cement mixing plant, fire risks associated with home dry cleaning, and progress on the block 40 crib. Page 6 marked as another page 4.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 9

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the warehouse department, social pressures encouraging risky behavior, and concrete pouring on block 40.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 10

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the importance of block 40, the role of illness in causing accidents, and concrete pouring on the west side.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 11

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the time department, the dangers of electricity, and the pouring of 4000 cubic yards of concrete in a single day.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 12

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about a suspension bridge for transporting cement over the Columbia River, the dangers of sand storms, and a large increase in concrete pouring. Pages 5 and 7 are reversed.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 13

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the creation of recreations resulting from water backed up behind the dam and the upcoming construction on the east trestle.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 14

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the mixing and delivery of concrete, proper use of ladders, and increased concrete pouring.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 15

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about Easter observances, the phone center, and the suspension of concrete pouring on block 40.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 16

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the death of MWAK chairman Silas Mason, the amount of freight moved by trains on and to the construction site, the suspension of work on block 40, and the start of construction on the east side trestle. Page 3 marked as another page 4.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 17

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the role of trestles in constructing the dam, the decrease in injuries due to nail puncture wounds, an influx of visitors to the site, and the impact of rising river levels on construction.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 18

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about cooling pipes used to help cure concrete, the opening of a new wing of the mess hall, the inundation of the east pit by rising river levels, and work on the east slide area.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 19

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the use of cement to fill crevices in the dam and an increase in concrete pouring. Page 9 marked as another page 7.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 20

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the mess hall, the amount of money spent on equipment for the dam, highway bridge construction, and the construction of a tunnel in the west abutment. Page 5 is slightly cut off at the top.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 21

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the Coulee Dam school system, changes to the recreation hall, electric light poles near the east side lake, and the stoppage of work on the east side.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 22

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the gravel plant, work on a drainage tunnel in the west abutment, and the upcoming drilling and blasting for a pump house.