Evening star., 1946-07-28
Marshall Is Reported
Considered for Atom
Control Commission
ky tho Assoeio'ed Press


Senators heard reports yesterday
that President Truman had con-
sidered naming Gen. George C.
Marshall, now his special envoy to
China, a member of the proposed
commission on domestic control of
atomic energy.
A Senator who asked not to be
identified told reporter the former
Army chief of staff had been men,
toned by Mr.. Truman In prelimi-
nary discussions recently of the per-
sonnel of the five-member board
This group would be given unprece-
dented powers under a control bill
sent to the White House Friday.
AS speculation on appointments
continued even in advance Of the
Presidents expected approval of
the measure, there were these other
developments:
l. Senator Austin, Republican, Of
Vermont said the bill gives Ameri-
can representatives on the United
Nations Atomic Energy Commission
considering international controls
clear mandate" not to divulge any
information to other nations about
nuclear fission until Congress de-
termines that effective information
al controls are in operation. Chair
man Mcmahon Of the Senate Atomic
Committee. agreed with Senator
Austin's Interpretation.
2. Senator Kilgore, Democrat of
West Virginia, said in a formal
statement that "militarism and
monopoly" remain the two chief
threats In the field of atomic
energy development" He added
that the personnel of the new COM
mission seemed likely to meet with
q mixed reception in Congress, but
even some of those who have advo-
Gated strict civilian control in
dicated they would find it difficult
to oppose the Presidents selection.
Marshall Extremely Busy.
AS the bill went to the President,
1t left the road open to the ap-
pointment Of retired military per-
sonnet. However, Gen. Marshall is
extremely busy just now attempt
Ing to bring peace to the warning
factions in China and there was
some doubt that Mr. Truman would
be willing to withdraw him from
that task before its conclusion.
The President was said by law
makers to have under considera-
ton a long list of names. but to
have made no decision yet
Speculation on Capitol Hill listed
among possible appointees Edward
r. Stettinius. jr., former Secretary
OF State; Joseph P. Kennedy, former
Ambassador to Britain: Under Secre-
tary OF the Treasury o. Max Gard
ner. iva Chairman David E.
Lilienthal, and scientists DR.. Irving
Langmuir, DR.. James Conant, DR..
Edward U. Condor and DR.. Vanne-
var Bush.
Senator Mcmahon, whose ap-
pointment with the President to
discuss the bill was postponed
from yesterday until tomorrow, said
he will urge that outstanding men
be chosen.
Significant Assertion.
Senator Austins assertion that
the bill bars the dissemination of
information to other nations until
effective controls are working was
regarded as significant. He has
been named by President Truman
as the American represents tive on
the U. NJ Security Council, which
will deal with the question.
Senator Mcmahon said the effect
OF the bills provision will be to
strengthen the hand of Bernard M
Baruch, the American representa-
tive on the councils Atomic Com
mission, in dealing with Russian
demands that security enforcement
be entrusted to the individual ma
tions rather than to a world Or
ganization.
The measure before Mr.. Truman
provides that until Congress de-
clares by joint resolution that effec-
tive and enforceable international
safeguards against the use of atomic
energy for destructive purposes have
been established, there shall be no
exchange of information with other
nations with respect to the use of
atomic energy for industrial pur-
poses . ="
Senator Mcmahon said this covers
information about the atomic bomb
by preventing any divulgence be-
fore Congress acts of information
on the fashionable process.
The Federation of American Sci
entists called on the President to
appoint the very best type of
Americans" to the Atomic Energy
Commission.
DR.. w. A. Higinbotham, chairman
Of the federation, said in state
ment that the President should
give deep thought and take thor
ough counsel in the selection of
the commission, since atomic en-
ergy is "a world problem, a world
peril and world promise"