Evening star., 1946-03-26
BY the Asxoeioted Press

by foe Associated PresS
An easier road toward world
wide sharing of atomic energy
secrets appeared to be opening
up today with reports that scien-
lists have discovered how to
render plutonium useless for
bomb making.
This "denaturing" process assert
edly would not interfere with the
release of atomic power for indus
trial purposes.
These reports were carried to the
Senate's Special Atomic Committee
yesterday by Undersecretary of
State Dean Acheson. Members said
he presented a study which urged
an international licensing system to
control raw materials and the pro-
duction of atomic energy for peace
full uses.
But the recommendation were
quickly overshadowed by statements
three Senators credited to Mr..
Acheson that scientists have learn
ed how to "denature" both pluto
mum and U-235. These are the
substances which furnish the atoms
that are split to release vast power
One Senator, who refused to be
quoted by name, said the problem of
sharing atomic energy secrets with
the rest of the world may be very
much simplified" if the process is
proved in practical operations.
He pointed out that If a way can
be found to control tightly the
worlds supply of fashionable ma
terial, and if it can be treated to
make it useless for explosive pur-
poses, then there need be little fear
OF the secret manufacture of A
bombs.
But he added that there still is
a long way to go-even if the ele-
ment can be so poisoned" to make
certain that it could not be manu-
featured in the original form in
which it was used in the atom bomb.
The understanding of all concerned.
he said, is that once the plutonium
IS "denatured," it is extremely diff
flcult to return to it its original
qualities.
Commercial Use Seen.
There was feeling among Sena-
tors, also, that the reported de
maturing discovery may open the
way for commercial use of atomic
energy.
DR.. Edward U. Condor, director of
the Bureau of Standards and scien-
tific adviser to the atomic commit
tee, acknowledged that this was
the implication" of the discovery.
DR.. Condor said ways have been
found to harness nuclear fission for
industrial purposes. But the dam
ger has been, he added. that plant
thus turning out atomic power
might at the same time be making
bombs as by-product.
Difficult to Control Force.
Hence, the physicist told a re-
porter, the big problem the new
process will solve is that of traffic
IN plutonium rather than its en-
use"
Most scientists. previously have in
dlcated that the greatest stumbling
block in the path of industrial use
Is the difficulty in controlling the
force of the chain reaction
set up.
Most members of the committee
acknowledged that they know little
about the technical details of the
denaturing process, although one
said it had been discussed more
thoroughly by scientist at a pre-
vious closed session.
Acheson Called From Farley.
Undersecretary Acheson did not
complete any explanation he may
nave intended to make at yesterdays
session, for he was called to a White
House conference while Senators
still were interrogating him.
Chairman Mcmahon, who would
not comment in any way on the re-
ported disclosures, said Mr.. Ache
son probably will be called back
next week. The committee starts
work tomorrow on the final draft of
domestic atomic control legislation,
which the chairman said may be
ready this week.
Mr.. Acheson gave the committee
a report from special committee of
scientists. headed by IVA Chair
man David E. Lilianthal. The I'm
dersecretary said a State Depart
ment committee he heads indorses
the proposals.
Licensing Authority Planned.
Members said that, summed up,
the report called for establishment
under the United Nations Organ
lzation of an authority which would
license plants to produce atomic
energy for peaceful purposes.
The plan repeatedly called for
the UNO authority to control the
production of uranium and thorium.
both fashionable ores. This control
would be preceded by worldwide
inventory of mined and unmined
The report was said to have sug-
sested that the United States af-
ter complete security arrangments
had been made-turn over to the
UNO body the know-how on the
production of atomic energy. Like
hose in ony other country, plants