The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-04-18
ion.
Highlights of Senator Muir
rays significant speech follow


The confirmation of David E
Lilienthal as chairman of the Atomic
debate of such farreaching import
ance that | feel impelled to place my
position in this matter clearly on the
record.
For this past month the press has
been exposing an exhibition of unjusti-
fled and unsubstantiated charges, and
of power lobbying and political duplic-
ity behind the scenes which is seri-
ously undermining the faith and con-
fidence of the American people in the
integrity of our democratic institu-
tions
The Real Controversy
1.-THE matter before us, on it's face.
appears to involve the simple ques-
ton of the confirmation of chairman
of the Atomic Energy commission
the question of whether or not the
Presidential nominee, Mr. Lilienthal, is
an American citizen of integrity and
probity who adheres to the principles
of our Constitution and is qualified by
education, training, and experience for
the task involved in the program of
this important commission. The real
controversy, however, does not appear
on the surface, but is hidden from view
because chicanery and subterfuge al
ways follow subterranean channels.
eff, therefore, we are to discharge
our sworn obligations we must look
beyond the heavy smokescreen of base
less charges, of double talk, and polit-
ical propaganda which has been put
forth as a substitute for proof in this
vicious attempt to defeat the confirm
alton of the Presidents nominee.
at seems clear to me from the char
acter of the opposition to Mr.. Lilien-
thai and the vicious and unfounded
abuse which has been leveled at him, !
that he is being opposed principally be- |
cause Of his splendid record of admin
istration of the IVA in the public inter
ests as against the private power inter
ests, and because it is generally rec
ognized that he will likewise guard the |
public interests in the administration |
of the Atomic Energy commission"
Referring to the great flood of false
information which blanketed the ma
ton about Mr. Lilienthal, Senator
Murray said
"The senate of the United States is
rendering great service to the people
of our country in exposing to public
views and repulsing the flood of pro-
paganda which has been Embossed in
this country in an effort to defeat Mr..
Lilienthal. :
Campaign of FaIsehood
This fight let me warn is not a
mere fight against a man; it is fight
of the private power interests of the
nation against the general policy of
public power development in the in
terest of all the people. 1t is ruthless
fight of falsehoOd and fear against the
confirmation of one who will regard
the development of atomic energy
wholly in the public interest-one who
will direct it's policy and control tow
ards the widest and most beneficial
uses for all Americans. This is the
central lOTc6 III I0lS dJIdCk, WHICH
prompts the capable columnist, Joseph
Alsop, in his Washington Post article f
of February 81, to conclude: t
The Neanderthal wing of the q
power industry is fighting hard G
against LlienthaI, using all weapons [
available.
"The willing touch of monopoly as l
eXemplified in the electric power field q
not only affects the social and eco :
nomic life of every citizen, but it V
reaches out to slow up and throttle
the national government whenever it {.
seeks to broaden and strengthen the l.
national economy. This struggle be- u
tween the government and the power e
interests is a classic example o
"lf, in the present struggle, the pub l.
ic interest prevails and atomic energy y
S developed and preserved for the -
Welfare of the whole people, monopo- u
istic control of our country will have e
suffered its greatest defeat fl