Evening star., 1947-04-20


building was originally designed for
the Public Health Service, Nearby
are the so-called temporary Army
and Navy structures erected during
World War I, the more pretentious
Federal Reserve System Building
and the National Academy OF
Sciences. This limited region rep
resents much that concerns the war
and peacetime uses of this new
transcendent power and the astro-
nomical costs of its discovery and
development.
Wartime Security Enforced.
On the second floor are the offices
|of the Ave members Of the commits
sion, headed by 47-year -old David
E. Lilienthal, whose nomination was
held up. with those OF other COM
missioners, for II weeks by Senator
McKellar OF Tennessee. At the far
end of their connected ofiices Is a
medium -sized conference room with
a T-shaped table for the numerous
scientific. military and administra-
tive discussions.
Wartime security regulations are
still strictly enforced within the
building and on all officials and en-
ployes throughout the entire atomic
energy establishment. Admission Of
outsiders to the building is by ap-
pointment only. Identification cards
must be signed at the door, a
visitors badge worn. and visitors
escorted to the Offices they seek.
Inside the commissioners offices are
red signs above the electric light
switches: "Are Your Safes Locked?"
Stiff Penalties.
Because Of the secrecy imposed by
the Atomic Energy Act of August,
1916, the commissioners are reluctant
to talk about what they are doing
and categorically decline discussion
Of specific projects. Security restric-
tions are tighter than they were in
wartime to overcome the natural
tendency during peacetime to be lax
or thoughtless about information.
Penalties for violating the security
regulations are severe. The law tt
self provides a death penalty or life
for any one who in
tentionally gives out secret informa-
ton that would injure the United
States or secure an advantage to any
foreign nation.
Politely but firmly the commits
sioners request that all material in
tended for publication be reviewed.
The restrictions, however, permit
a general, overall picture Of the
whole establishment, which has al
ready cost $2.50o, 100000 and for
which $500 900, 900 has been asked
for the next fiscal year, and some of
its unique problems.
Personnel First Problem.
The immediate problem-and 1t is
not unique in the National Govern
ment at this time-is that of per-
sonnel. The II weeks of debate, and
particularly the smear campaign"
directed by Senator Mcclellan against
Mr.. Lilienthal,. not only damaged
the morale of the whole organiza-
ton; it virtually stopped recruit
ment of needed scientific, engineer
ing and administrative brains.
Since their recess appointments by
President Truman in october last
year, the five commissioners have
been gradually working out the de-
tails of their organization.
Besides Mr.. Lillienthal, the mem
bers are Robert F. Bacher, a physi-
cist; Sumner T. Pike, a former men,
Der Of the Security and Exchange
Commission; Lewis l.. Strauss, bank
er and a wartime admiral, and w.
w. Waymack, editor.
The commission Is, and will re-
main, 4 policy-making rather than
an administrative group. despite the
F. L - Il. .S1,,