Evening star., 1949-05-26
Senator'S Quiz
IiIientha|A About
~ So
Condor, Graham
Acc Chief Testifies
Bourd Cleared Them
After Reviews
fTert OF Ltlienthnl Letter on
Page A-6J
By J. A. O'leoy

the Atomic Energy Commission
told a congressional committee to-
day that the commission granted
clearance to DR.. Edward U. Con-
don and DR.. Frank P. Graham for
access to secret information after
their names had been passed on to
the commission by its security
ofiicer for review.
DR.. Condor is head Of the Ma
tional Bureau of Standards. DR..
Graham, former president OF the
University Of North Carolina. now
Is a Senator from North Carolina
Mr.. Lilienthals disclosure came
at the opening of the Joint Atomic
Energy Committees full investiga-
ton into charges of Incredible
mismanagement" of the Atomic
Commission by Senator Hicken-
looper. Republican, of Iowa. a COM
mittee member.
Policies Called Harmful.
Other high lights of the first
public hearing were:
Senator Hickenlooper told the
committee his complaint goes to
the administrative policies" of the
commission under Mr.. Lilienthal's
guidance. which hez regards as
harmful"
The Iowa Senator emphasized,
however. he is not challenging in
any way the patriotism or personal
honesty Of Mr.. Lilienthal.
As the joint committee recessed
sitter the initial session. Mr.. Lii
.steuthal thanked Senator Hicken-
looper for eliminating his patriot
ism and personal integrity as is
sues in the Investigation. and said
he had never construed the Sem
ator's charges as involving those
issues.
Following UP his strong letter
Of yesterday In defense OF the
commissions progress In the vital
field Of atomic weapons and re-
search, Mr.. Lilienthal was on the
stand all morning. urging the
committee to survey the commits
sion's overall accomplishments
rather than concentrate on iso-
lated complaints which gave rise
to the inquiry.
3. The names of DR.. Condor and
Senator Graham were brought
into the record when Represent
ative Elston. Republican. of Ohio
asked Mr.. Lilienthal. "Have you
ever oyerruled recommendations
Of the security offlcer?"
Recalls Two Cases.
Mr.. Lilienthal said he could re-
call two cases in which the COM
mission had taken action after
Individual applications for clear
ance for access to information had
been passed on by the security
officer.
In the case Of Senator Graham.
who was then president Of the
University of North Carolina. Mr..
Lilienthal said Rear Admiral John
Gingrich. former security officer
Of the commission. sent the
Graham file to the general man
ager of the commission, Carroll
Wilson, for review.
Mr.. Lilienthal explained, II am
not clear that Gingrich made an
adverse report" but said he sent
the case to the general manager
with a statement he was doing so
Ia view Of information in the file.
In the case of DR.. Condor. Mr..
Lilienthal said his recollection is
that Admiral Gingrich recon-
mended clearance should not be
granted. but Mr.. Lilienthal said
the commission took a different
view.
Clearance Granted.
In both cases, Mr.. Lilienthal
said, the commission granted the
clearance. He explained to re-
porters later that in all cases
clearance is for the purposes re-
quired by the individuals regular
work. For DR.. Condor. 1t was for
his work at the Bureau Of Stand
ards For Senator Graham. 1t
was for his work as head Of an
educational institution.
This phase of the questioning
CONTINUED on Page AS. Col. -