The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-08-25
Atomic Power
(Washinton Post)


 The financial press is already showing signs of becoming ttery the prospect of competition be- tween atomic power and the energy developed from coal oil and falling water. Information is not yet available on which experts can base guess as to the time that will elapse before atomic energy will be turning factory wheels and providing the motive power for transport systems. But there is little doubt in anyones mind that the force will be harnessed and controlled at not too distant date with revolutionary effects upon industrial life. In anticipation of that day fears that coal and oil resources may be exhausted likely give way to fears that these indispensable props of motor driven civilization may become superfluous and lose their investment value.
 Already there is in evidence a tendency to discuss the competitive potentialities of atomic power in the industrial field if they of chief importance. Yet those poentialities developed to the full very much more is implied than the decline or possible extinction of certain basic industries. The harnessing of tupendous natural forces on the scale that know to be possible will release armies of workers for tasks for the enjoyment of greater leisure. We have already learned how to employ various forms of energy successfully that the full utilization of the devices at command would, under ideal conditions, banish poverty from the earth We have the scientists word for that it is already physically possible to produce all the food and cloth ing and shelter needed for abundant health. But knowledge alone will not produce a material utopia; there need for improved organization for produc- tion and distribution to give backward countries the boost upward that they need.
 Reduced to essentials the greatest problem that will confront world at peace will be that of efficient utilization of manpower to assure useful empolyment and adequate real rewards. Every labor saving device that has been introduced has increased the instability of industrial activity and aggravated those recuent periods of depression that cause mass unemployment. Now facing the prospect of a new type of labor-saver that may liberate more workers than thrown out of customary employment by the introduction of power driven machinery. The physical problems connected with the control of such power may prove in the long run to be much less formidable than the social problems growing out of such employment. ForewaIned it is to be hoped that the efforts expended on making the atom a safe of peacetime energy will be par aeled by intensive studies of how to make it force for increasing the welbeing of workers everywhere not potentially but actually
 The Union for Democratic Action has already issued a warning that vested interests may try to retard the efficient and cheaper production of power heat and light through utilization and adapta- tion to peacetime of the discovery That of course is possible danger but in our opinion, not as great as the danger that the form of energy will be released for peacetime before pre- pared to make the social and economic adjustments required by it's introduction.