Evening star., 1947-01-10
Half Billion Provided
In Budget for Work Of
Atomic Energy Group

Atomic Energy Group
The atom Is given a big position
In the 1s47-8 budget sent to Con-
gress today. 1t rates recommenda-
ton for q half-billion dollar outlay,
plus Federal research facilities.
The budget message estimated
that the new Atomic Energy Com
mission-responsible for both mill
tary and industrial development of
nuclear fission-win spend $443, ,000,-
900 In the year beginning July /.
At the same time, the President
asks Congress to finance large-scale
research in the atomic field, partic-
ularly regarding peacetime applica-
tions, by the National Bureau OF
Standards.
This program calls for the pur-
chase and installation by the bureau
of 100000, ,000-volt betatron, costing
$4l5,000, and additional funds to
purchase q $50, ,000, 900 betatron. An
appropriation of $250.000 this year
fell short of the purchase price.
Generates Light Particles.
A betatron is similar to CYCLIC
tron but generates light particles
instead of heavy particles of matter.
1t is a large glass vacuum vessel
shaped like a circular life preserver
in which electrons accelerate until
they emerge In narrow beam of
beta rays or, after battering metal
target, in 2o-million- x-rays.
In estimating a $443, 100000 ex-
penditure by the Atomic Energy
Commission, the President made
provision for a full $500, 900 900 pro-
gram. He recommended an ap-
preparation of $3.50, ,000, 900 and au-
thorization for the commission to
contract for another $3.50, 0,00o, 900.
Presumably some of this amount
would be available to the Bureau
of Standards for research work with
its new betatrons. They are asked
specifically to conduct medical and
Industrial studies of x and beta
radiations.
At present the bureau is not
equipped for the study Of radiation
above 100000 volts.
Would Be Kept Underground.
The betatrons, plus auxiliary ma
chinery, would be housed in under
ground chambers beneath an annex
to the bureaus X-radiation labora-
tory. Funds already are available
for the laboratory and contract
for its construction is to be let this
year.
Atomic development, which until
recently had been solely military
project, was given a new position in
the budget under the heading Of
Natural Resources" Its continued
Importance as a weapon was empha-
sized by the President, however, in
these words:
THE harnessing of atomic energy |
was q war achievement, and 1t re-
mains Of major military signifi-
canoe" Mr.. Truman added:
with the appointment Of the
Atomic Energy Commission last fall,
we have entered on a new phase of |
development. This commission has
assumed direction of the Manhat-
tan Engineer District project Che
military unit that developed the
atom bomb. Our aim is to bring |
the benefits of atomic research to
industry and medicine and to en-
rich standards of well.being.
Transfer Raised Outlay.
''In line with the shift in empha-
sis, the atomic energy program since
December 81, 1916, is classified IN
natural resources This transfer in
the middle of the current fiscal year
and the inclusion on q full-year
basis in 1948 are major reasons for |
the increase in expenditures for re-
source development in both years"
The atomic energy appropriation
for the current year was about $375,- |
100000, a fund transferred to the |
commission when 1t absorbed the |
Manhattan District.
The estimated $443,000.O00 ex-
penditure for the next fiscal year
will include contract costs for the
construction of several new research
projects, as well as the operation of
existing facilities.
The commission has contracted
for the building of chain of new
laboratories including Argonne at
Chicago, Brookhaven at Camp Up
ton, Long Island, and the Knolls, |
near Schenectady, N. Y. These lab
oratories will be run by private in
dustries or universities under con-
tracts with the commission. /
3 Other Old Plants.
Also operated under the contract
system are the older plants, includ-
ing those at Hanford, Wash; Oak
Ridge, Tenn, and Los Alamos, N.
Mex. The latter spot is where the
five atom bombs exploded up to
now we're assembled.
The commissions own payroll
presumably is substantial item.
About 10000 persons. are employed,
all but handful civilians and many
of them technicians and scientists.
Regarding the Bureau of Stand
ards, the budget also asks It's ap-
preparation be doubled over this
year. 1t carries $10,620, 900 for the
agency as compared to current
$5,837 900.
Included in the new amount is
$500, 900 to begin construction of a
radio laboratory. The sum asked for
work in electronics Is nearly tripled.
Harper Says War Potential
na~.ine Ia Earna.n Ainde