Evening star., 1947-02-15
Russell Invites Reply
By LiIienthal as 10
CoIumnist's Views
b. the Associoted Press

DdVlQ T.. Llll6QtIldl To-Day WAS
promised a chance to tell Senator
Russell, Democrat, of Georgia at
hearings next week what he thinks
the Georgian's record on public VS..
private power.
The nominees answer probably
will determine whether Mr.. Lilien-
thai gets Senator Russell's vote in
the close battle over Senate con-
frmation of the former IVA head
as chairman of the new Atomic
Energy Commission.
Specifically, Senator Russell told
reporter, he will ask whether
Lilienthal approves statement by
a Washington columnist that the
Georgia Senator probably was
against confirmation because he
represents a State where private
power people have real grip on
local politics"
"If he puts any credence in that
kind of Misrepresentation, I don't
think he is the man to head the
+; atomic commission" the Georgia
Senator said.
Senator Russell, long public
power advocate, declared in the
Senate yesterday he. will vote
against Mr.. Lilienthal if the nomi-
nee has been in association with
such people as these (the column
ist) or has any respect for them"
Showdown Due Late in Week.
The question of confirmation
comes to a showdown before the
Senate Atomic Committee possibly
late next week.
There were indications that Mr..
Lilienthal will need all of the DEM
ocratic votes he can corral, in the
face of mounting Republican oppo-
sition to his appointment.
Senator Brooks of Illinois joined
the Republican anti-Lilienthal line
up yesterday with a charge that
the nominee had shown utter dis
regard and some times contempt
for Congress" throughout his career
as a director of the Tennessee Val
ley Authority. 3...-;,,,..,....
l. - Senator Brooks added. that Mr.
Lilienthal "is a New Dealer and
the New Dealers have espoused a
philosophy alien to American ira
dition, a philosophy which the vot-
ers rejected at the polls, last No
vember." $780,. .,.,,-.'..
Senator overton Of Louisiana add
ed his name to the relatively shorter
list of Democrats who have come
out publicly against Mr.. Lilienthal.
Observing that the nomination IS
''the most important ever sent to
the Senate for confirmation" Sena-
tor Overton said he thinks "the
United States Is not so meagerly
supplied with capable men that it
must place the peace and security
of the Nation and the world in the
care of one about whom so much
controversy RACES"
"Mr. Lilienthal is not the indis-
pensable man." Senator Overton
added.
Brewster May Oppose Him. S
There were reports that Senator
Brewster, Republican, of Maine is
ready to join some of his Republic
can colleagues in opposing the NOM
nations.
Chairman Taft of the COP Senate
Steering Committee, who has been
quoted by colleagues as being against
confirmation, still declined to State
his stand publicly.
The Federation of American Sci
enlist declared in a statement last
night the Senate should confirm Mr..
Lilenthal and other members of the
Atomic Energy Commission without
delay.
"Any other action, we believe, will
have the gravest consequences for
our peace and security and for the
future development of atomic ener-
gy," the federation said. Many OF
it's members worked on the atom
bomb project during the war.