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. 2, No. 48

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about divers working on the river bottom (called sea knights), the addition of newspapers to the company reading room, a call for employees to register with the Social Security Administration, and pouring on the east side on block 69.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 49

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about the millions of pounds of steel to be used in the dam, the move of a west side whirley crane to the east side for concrete pouring, and the set up of the east side conveyor.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 50

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about carpenters working on the dam, preparations for dirt receivers, the placement of the last cross river crib, a visit by James O'Sullivan and Senator Gerald Nye, and the completion of channels to shift the Columbia River.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 51

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about work between the cross river cofferdams, and progress on excavation at the pumping plant site.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 52

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains articles about Christmas services, pumping behind the cross river cofferdams, and the beginning steps for dismantling the west cofferdam.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 2, No. 53

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains a review of work performed in 1936 and articles about a temporary halt to concrete pouring on the west side, and preparations for concrete pouring on block 41.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 1

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include a piece about draining an area behind a cofferdam to begin work on the foundation.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 2

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

This issue contains a new header featuring a picture of what the Grand Coulee Dam will look like upon completion. Articles in this issue include pieces about the changed header and some information about the dam, and a piece about derricks used to break ice in the diversion channels.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 3

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces on a photographic development lab in Mason City responsible for processing the images and film produced by the Bureau of Reclamation and MWAK and on the importance of maintaining safe work habits.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 4

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the process of removing or burying rocks excavated to lay the dam foundation (e.g., conveyors, feeders, and grizzlies) and a blurb on the heavy snowfall on page 11.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 5

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces on experimental devices and techniques used in dam construction, such as dinkies and tunnel yokes, and an article about the adverse winter weather.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 6

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about profiteering from the sale of lands to be irrigated by the Columbia Basin Project and an article about weather related workplace dangers.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 7

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the mixing of cement and concrete and a piece about progress on the east side trestle.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 8

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the amount of land excavated in the Grand Coulee by glacial floods and other geologic phenomena and a piece on fossil-like impressions caused by the interaction of certain metals and water. In the original copy of this issue, pages 8 and 9 are mislabeled, with page 9 coming before page 8.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 9

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the volume of work performed by the Mason City laundry and the work of the Mason City fire department.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 10

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about progress on the concrete pouring operation at the dam and progress on the east side construction.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 11

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces on the amount of materials moved by power shovels, the firing of a worker due to intoxication at the work site, and a breach in the west cofferdam that caused a temporary halt to construction.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 12

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about gasoline consumption on the construction site, the responsibilities and proper demeanor of foreman, and the use of bentonite to plug holes in the bedrock.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 13

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the use bentonite to seal cofferdams, a letter about safe driving, and the addition of 350 workers to the payroll.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 14

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about increase in gasoline consumption due to increased barge activity, a map of Mason City fire call boxes, the winners of a safety slogan contest, and the clearing of water from the cross-river cofferdam.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 15

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces on drilling holes for dynamite and the amount of rock removed in the construction of the dam, the planned end of operation for freezing plant used to stop the slide of the east slope, and cooling barges to assist the curing of concrete.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 16

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces pneumatic (air powered) tools on site, the opening of fishing season, the danger of nail puncture wounds, and the sealing of the cross river cofferdam.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 17

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces Sunao Kameda a man studying Grand Coulee Dam for ideas about constructing dams in Japan, a letter about MWAK policies about wage garnishment, uncashed paychecks, and preparations for laying concrete in section 40.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 18

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces on the Brett gravel pit, increases in employment by MWAK, thefts on site, and the end of freezing to stabilize the eastern slope. In the original copy of this issue, page 7 is mislabeled, appearing after page 8.
M.W.A.K. Columbian, Vol. 3, No. 19

Mason-Walsh-Atkinson-Kier Co.

Articles in this issue include pieces about the completion of bentonite grouting between the west and cross river cofferdams, a social room at the recreation hall intended for women, the placing of forms directly onto the Columbia River bed, and the near completion of a railroad trestle.