Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-23
Atomic Bomb Puts
Scientists in Politics
Commentator Discusses Control
of Pitchblende Mining
By Raymond Moley.

By Raymond Moley.
Government thinking, both in tho
administration and in Congress, Is TAX
ing its time about deciding the future
OF the atomic bomb. This is wise, be-
cause of science, and the limit in this
case is too sharp to permit idle dreaming.
If we suspend ourselves between a
decision to 60 it alone and decision
to. share the discovery, we shall lose
precious bargaining power and encourage
national isolationisn elsewhere in the
world. Yet by rash decision to turn
over not only the know-how of atomic
energy, but the finished product to the
UNO Security Council. we may be help
ing to create an even more grave situa-
ton.
have 1t from very notable military
expert and philosopher that to equip
an international police force with this
weapon might create, in the UNO, the
equivalent of the Roman Praetorian
Guardian organization with such
monopoly of effective power that it
enslaved the political system it was
created to protect
On the other hand, Gilbert La Bine,
who mines the pitchblende on the shore
of Great Bear Lake at the edge of the
Arctic, isn't saying anything. He mines
the pitchblende, refines it and delivers
| over the uranium at the border That's
his job. The higher uses of the stuff he
| produces is for statesmen to determine.
| / have carried the jackpot question to
number of scientists who have been
close to the great discovery. Their
mental atoms are almost all impervious
! to political neutrons. They speak in
| inventions. They let statesmen gather
together the pieces of the world they
shatter
| One OF these scientists, more articulate
than the others, was willing to speak
| anonymously Among other things, he
pointed out that science is looking ahead
far beyond the fat accompn which
shattered Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The atom bomb, he said, isn't going
| TO destroy civilization any more than
old score or more of other military
inventions that were billed to do the
job. But psychologically and emotion
ally, this was the load of hay that broke
the back of the isolationist camel. War.
like golf, becomes the game of those
who have plenty of space. The United
states and Russia alone could afford
the risk and such war would end az
all wars end, with a victor and a van
| pushed. The prospect is grim, for
civilization would be PROSTATE under the
hammering"
1t might be added that perhaps. over
the PROSTATE bodies Of the giants, Lilli-
putlan nations, with more sense than
Drawn, might decide to organize world
of law.
My scientist friend made number
of political suggestions:
l, Organize an atomic energy COM
mlttee under the Security Council OF
the UNO, with scientists, indus
trialists and statesmen as members.
Give this committee plenty of inspec-
tors.
2. Place all deposits containing RADIO
active substances under an inspection
branch of the committee for the limita-
ton of mining
3. Limit the manufacture of radio
active substances to selected plants
owned by the council.
4. Limit the use of uranium and other
radioactive substances to the use Of
! scientists Hnirr i,,
power, Keep record of every ounce.
5. Make research in atomic energy for
military purposes an international
crime and distribute none of the ma
terial to military organizations.
The scientists would. according to this
man, welcome such a plan.
They have learned lot in this
war he continued. In 20 years there
will be 100000 scientists, as compared
with tenth of that number now.
They will organize as powerful pro-
fession. They will resent being COM
PEELED to work in secrecy. And they will
refuse to be known as mere architects
of destruction"
MY own conclusion from this is that
there is need for the voice of science to
make itself heard in political discus
slons. AS long as the scientist chooses
intellectual isolation, as long as he
chooses political impotence. he will be
the tool of politicians with vastly less
of intelligence and infinitely less of 4
sense of responsibility.
The decision before our statesmen In
Washington in this atomic matter in
wolves the future of our children and
our world, 1t should be no monopoly
of politicians.