Evening star., 1945-10-04

mans message 70 congress on
the atomic bomb tolIo,Ds:.
Almost two months have passed
since the atomic bomb was, used
against Japan. That bomb did not
win the war, but 1t certainly short
ened the war. We know that ii
saved the lives of untold thousands
of American and Allied soldiers who
would otherwise have been killed
in battle.
The discovery of the means of re-
leasing atomic energy began a. new
era In the history of civilization
The scientific and industrial knowl-
edge on which this discovery rests
does not relate merely to another
weapon. 1t may some day prove to
be more revolutionary in the de-
velopment of human society than
the invention of the wheel, the use
of metals, or the steam or internal
combustion engine.
Never in history has society been
confronted with a power SO full OF
potential danger and at the same
time SO full Of promise for the fu-
ture of man and for the peace of
the world. ! think I express the
faith of the American people when
I say that we can use the knowledge
we have won, not for the devasta-
ton of war, but for the future well
fare Of humanity. .t.
Along Two Fronts.
To accomplish that objective we
must proceed along two fronts-the
domestic and the international.
The first and most urgent step is
the determination of our domestic
policy for the control, use and de-
velopment of atomic energy within
the United States. >
We cannot postpone decisions in
this field. The enormous invest
ment which we made to produce
the bomb has given us the two vast
industrial plants in Washington and
Tennessee, and the many associated
works throughout the country. 1t
has brought together a vast organ
ization Of scientists, executives, in
dustrial engineers and skilled work.
ers-a national asset of inestimable
value.
The powers which the Congress
wisely gave to the Government to
wage war were adequate to permit
the creation and development of
this enterprise as war project.
Now that our enemies have surren-
dered, we should take immediate
action to provide for the future use
of this huge investment in brains
and plant. I am informed that
many of the people on whom de-
pend the continued successful OPP
Grafton of the plants and the fur
ther development of atomic knowl-
edge, are getting ready to return to
their normal pursuits. In many
cases these people are considering
leaving the project largely because
Of uncertainty concerning future
national policy in this field. Prompt
action to establish national policy
will go long way toward keeping
a strong organization intact.
Future Research.
1t is equally necessary to direct
future research and to establish
control of the basic raw materials
essential to the development of this
power whether it is to be used for
purposes of peace or war. Atomic
force in ignorant or evil hands could
inflict untold disaster upon the
Nation and the world. Society can
not hope even to protect itself
much less to realize the benefits of
the discovery-unless prompt action
is taken to guard against the haz-
ards of misuse. 81
I therefore urge, as a first meas
ure in a program of utilizing our
knowledge for the benefit of So
ciety, that the Congress enact legis-
lation to fix a policy with respect
to our existing plants, and to con-
troll all sources of atomic energy
and all activities connected with
it's development and use in the
United States. =.
The legislation should give juris-
diction for these purposes to an
atomic energy commission with
members appointed by the Presi-
dent with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
The Congress should lay down the
basic principles for all the activities
of the commission, the objectives
of which should be the promotion
of the national welfare, securing the
national defense, safeguarding
world peace and the acquisition OF
further knowledge concerning
atomic energy.
Spirit Of Free Inquiry.
The people of the United States
know that the overwhelming power
we have developed in this war is
due In large measure to American
science and American industry. con-
sisting of management and labor
We believe that our science and in
dustry owe their strength to the
spirit Of free enterprise that char
acterize our country.
The commission, therefore, ir
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