The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-08-09
Greatest Discovery
Of the Century Now
Released to World
By Chas. d. Rowe

ment Monday that u. >. flyers had
dropped an atomic bomb on a JAP
anese city, the world received mott
fication of one of the most stupen-
dous accomplishments of the CEN
turtles. The Presidents announce
ment carried the further news that
American and British scientists,
working in collaboration, and in a
race with German scientists, had
finally succeeded in smashing" the
atom and releasing atomic power
for use by man. For many years
scientists have been attempting to
do this, believing that when and if
that could be done, the ultimate
in power generation would be at
tanned.
The destructive power of the
bomb dropped on that Japanese city
is hardly imaginable. AS this is
written, its effects were not known
but it is believed photographs will
show the city to be almost wiped
off the face of the earth, Common
tators said the bomb dropped
equalled iu explosive power the
bomb load carried by 1000 super
forts and that the bomb so used had
the destructive power of 10000
tons of TINT. One can imagine what
utter destruction in human lives
and property such a bomb would
accomplish in crowded Japanese
city.
-.
This discovery of the ages should
bring the end of the war much
closer. 1t is believed a few atomic
bombs dropped on any city would
completely destroy it. If Japan war
lords still refuse to bow to defeat,
it will mean utter destruction of
japanese cities and resources. 1t
does not seem possible they could
be so foolish as to choose destruc-
ton.
1t is said that one of these bombs
dropped anywhere near battle
ship would surely destroy it. A d.
rect hit would no longer be neces-
sary. A scientist talking over the
air, after President Truman's an
nouncement, told of experimental
work that had been carried on. A
comparatively small bomb was test
ed on proving ground in New
Mexico. 1t was suspended from a
steel tower and exploded. The
flames and force of the terrific ex-
plosion instantly converted the tow
er Of solid steel into vapor, and
men standing at distance of five
miles were thrown off their feet by
the explosion.
At last the mystery surrounding
the huge war project at Hanford,
Wash. Is lifted That plant, it is
now disclosed, has been working on
atomic bombs. There is one other
plant in the East.
- -
The final release of atomic power
and its control by man means a
world wide. industrial, economic
and social revolution, say scientists.
They state it will probably do away
with need for coal and oil. An en-
tire new method of power genera
ton will follow, it is said. The
power inherent in the atom is so
stupendous that one commentator
said a piece of the explosive sub
stance the size of a vitamin pill
would operate an automobile for an
entire year
That gives faint idea of its
possibilities. Does it follow that all
present steam and Diesel engines
and all internal combustion or gas
engines will be superseded by a
new motor operated by atomic
power? Does it follow that all hy-
droelectric plants will become OBJ
solete when atomic power takes the
place of water in generating power?
# SO, it would mean that our huge
dams, such as Grand Coulee dam,
would lose their power generating
potentialities and would be used
only for irrigation and stream con-
troll purposes.
- -
There appears no end to what
utilization of this new force may
possibly mean in the industrial
world. 1t provides mankind with un-
limited power, to be used for the
betterment of the human race-or
possibly for its destruction. But
with this secret in the hands OF
nations, war would seem to be i'm