The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1948-07-16
BY ROBERT e. cE1cER

against
the loyalty and character of
people working on secret at
omic projects. The Atomic
Energy Commission (AEC) has
not disclosed how many en-
ployes may have been releas-
ed for security reasons. Some
scientists say that because there
has been no announcement il
is likely not more than a very
few people, if any, have been
dismissed.
But M. Gerson and M. L.
Lesser, atomic scientists at Oak
Ridge, Tenn, writing in the
Bulletin of the Atomic Scien-
fists, says two research men at
Oak Ridge have been suspend
ed pending a hearing and six
others notified there is "un-
certainty" over their cases. T.
H. Davies, assistant professor
of chemistry and member of
the Institute of Nuclear Studies
at the University of Chicago,
says in the same issue that sew
eral employees in the Argonne
National laboratory at Chicago;
several at the Brookhaven, N.
Y, laboratory and one at the
Hanford, WASH, plant also
have been notified.
No Secrets Told
Atomic officials who were
asked about this said it is the
policy of the commission not
to comment on any loyalty
cases. They added that the is
sue is not over the giving
away of atomic secrets to spies
or other governments. Such a
case probably would be a Grim
inal one, handled by the courts.
But the Atomic Energy Act
requires the Acc to keep a
check on the character, loyalty
and associates of the thousands
of persons working in atomic
plants and related projects
who have access to secret infor-
nation. The main purpose is
to weed out any likely to be-
come disloyal in the future,
or ones who may carelessly
give out secrets by accident
just by talking too much.
The Commission has issued a
set of rules, called the Interim
Procedure, for local hearings.
Analysing the situation and the
hearing that have been held,
Gerson and Lesser, members
of the Association of Oak
Ridge Engineers and Scientists
propose some changes. These
are based on a study made by
a group of Association mem
bers. They say two problems
are involved:
l. Dealing with people who
disclose atomic secrets. (Who
under the Acc Act would be
tried in courts of law 2. Con-
stantly checking employees to
be sure they are and will re-
main completely trustworthy.
we are concerned with the
way in which the second prin-
ciple can, in practice, be abus-
ed" the two men write. "As-
surfing that employees are COM
pletely trustworthy may be
changed to assuring that en-
ployes hold exactly the same
political opinions as those held
by persons in political power"
Proof Required
They recommend that all ac-
cusations be backed up by wit
nesses; that the prosecution be
required to prove the accusa-
tions are true, as in a court
of law. and that the prosecu-
ton be required to explain why
the accusations, if true, might
lead to a future disloyal act.
under present rules, prosecu-
ton witnesses are not neces-
sary. Thus the accused may
not have the chance to confront
his accuser, may not even know
who he is. Officials of the
AES say this is necessary be-
cause:
l. Because they do not have
authority to subpoena wit
nesses. 2. the FBI investi-
gates and the FBI feels it is
necessary to protect the people
who give it information.
Furthermore, Acc spokes-
men say, the accusations are
not charges" in the legal
sence. but represent informa-
ton about an employee which it
seems necessary to have the
employee explain. But Lesser
and Gerson say an adverse de-
cision can seriously cut the
earning power of an employee
because of the cloud cast upon
him. The Bulletin article sug-
gests all decision should be
subject to review by federal
courts.
The employee now has the
right of appeal to the Commits
sion's personnel security re-
vie wboard, headed by the form