Daniel W. Bell
Daniel Wafena Bell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 July 1891 Kinderhook, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | 4 October 1971 (aged 80) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Government official, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1934–1945 |
| Known for | Acting director of the Bureau of the Budget; Undersecretary of the Treasury; president of American Security and Trust Company |
Daniel Wafena Bell (born July 23, 1891 – died October 4, 1971) was a notable American government official and entrepreneur. Originating from Kinderhook, Illinois, he held the position of acting director at the Bureau of the Budget (currently known as the Office of Management and Budget) between September 1, 1934, and April 14, 1939.
Subsequently, from 1940 until 1945, Bell occupied the role of Undersecretary of the Treasury. In this capacity, he collaborated with Colonel Kenneth Nichols to facilitate the transfer of silver from the West Point Depository to support the Manhattan Project. The silver was employed as a copper alternative in electromagnets at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The total amount utilized reached nearly 14,700 tons. While Nichols initially requested six thousand tons, he encountered difficulties with unit conversions; Bell clarified that silver quantities were recorded by the Treasury in troy ounces.
Following World War II, Bell assumed leadership as president of the American Security and Trust Company. He passed away at his residence in Washington in 1971 at the age of 80.