The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-08-25
Observations
Future of Plants
Making Bombs to
be in Doubt

The war having ended with the
use OF only two bombs from the
vast atomic bomb project, the ques-
ton remains as to what will be-
come OF such facilities as the nam.
moth Hanford Engineer Works In
southeastern Washington. largest
unit o. the project, and its shiny
new model village" OF $4,000 popu-
lation-Richland.
Work and life continues IN
changed for the present in Rich
land. despite the world-shaking
events that resulted from use OF
the product made there, and the
storm OF controversy which has
only begun over the atom bombs
implications for war or peace.
W. o. Simon, civilian plant man.
ager, and Col. Franklin T. Matthias.
commanding officer for the Army.
on the day that Japan surrendered
told the workers at Hansord and
the residents OF Richland that
there will be no interruption In
the work and no change. and the
project will continue to work for
several months" There was'a vic
tory celebration in Richland just
like those throughout the nation.
The atomic workers, and their
families living in Richland. have
been treasured that they are not in
danger from the catastrophe force
such as was unloosed on two jap
anese cities.
Although there was no Indication
OF nervousness on the part OF the
residents OF Richland when the po-
tency OF the atomic bomb was re-
vealed and their connection with
1t became known for the first time,
their nerves having been steeled
against the worst" for many
months, Major William L. Sapper.
Army executive officer OF the pro-
tect. issued q statement to them
that the bomb ingredients made
there are not explosive in them
selves.
Plant Manager Simon added:
I'VE have II under control and
risks here are no greater than
within the average chemical plant.
We haven't had any type OF injury
since production began last Febru-
ary."
The bright light Of worldwide
publicity which flashed briefly
through the pail OF secrecy and IL
Illuminated the project in q light o.
public interest akin TO the unearth-
~ glow of the atomic bomb itself.
has been turned off.
The shroud OF secrecy Is on again
In Richland, and It is likely to re-
main while peacetime potential
tiles OF atomic energy are discussed
and Congress gets set to consider
plans for safeguarding the secret
OF the new war weapon and the de-
mands that 1t be outlawed as an In
strument OF combat.
The residents OF Richland feel
more at home with the reestab-
lishment of the atmosphere Of sec
recy. Their entire community was
born and bred In an atmosphere
of the greatest secrecy when less
chan two years ago II appeared as
. complete replacement for the
little dried-up village OF 273 inhab-
itants that was its predecessor on
the map.
The Pacific Northwest, which OBJ
served with interest the unconceal-
able signs Of activity at Hanford
and Richland long before the rest
OF the nation knew that the project
existed, has always speculated over
the possible postwar future OF the
big plant and its city.
The Army. in planning the town.
apparently took long-range view
point. Care was exercised to locate
all parts Of II on high enough
ground to prevent damage II the
level OF the Columbia River should
be raised by the proposed Umatilla
Rapids (McNary) dam, and pro-
vision was made for the expected
overflow to fill q lagoon winding
through a section OF the city.
Richland as a deserted village"
would leave unoccupied a layout
that cost s10,0oo.0o0 Included are
1850 homes, only 1900 Of which are
prefabricated and could easily be
removed. In addition, there are Is
dormitories housing ss6 persons.
The city has a large hospital and
dental clinic, two fire stations, a
high school and four grade schools
and a system Of 1896 telephones.
The town was built from scratch.
and included is a waterworks fed
by IS drilled wells, a sewage dis
posal plant, and a fire protection
system OF AL plugs and SO fire
alarm boxes. The streets are named
after Army engineers dating back
TO the Revolutionary war. the lead
ing thoroughfare being George
Washington way.