Evening star., 1949-11-24
Top Atomic Post
Wide Open as
Li[ientha| Quits
Truman Reluctantly
Accepts Resignation
Of Acc Chairman
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
David E. Lilienthal's resigna-
ton as chairman of the Atomic
Energy Commission left wide open
today the question of who will
succeed him in one of the most
important jobs in the world.
Mr.. Lilienthal will quit as chair
man of the commission Decem-
Der 81. President Truman an
nounced yesterday that he was
accepting the resignation "reluc-
tant and with the utmost re-
greet"
The 50-year-old former chair
man of the Tennessee Valley Au-
thority became the first civilian
head of the multibillion dollar
atomic program on October %.
1916. His term would have ex-
pired next June 80, along with
those of the other four commits
sioners.
Presidential Secretary Charles
G.. Ross told reporters he had no
idea whom Mr.. Truman would
name to the $17.500 a year post.
Mr.. Lilienthal. controversial
figure throughout most his his 20
years of public life and particular
ly in recent months as Acc chair
man, submitted his resignation
three days ago, saying he wished
to return to private life and wants
to engage in public discussion
and public affairs with a greater
latitude" than is feasible while he
is in public Office.
Good Beginning Made.
In a radio interview last night.
he said there is only one time
when a fellow can quit this kind Of
job-and that's when 1t is going
we'll"
He added that he thought the
secrecy -shrouded program had
come a long ways" in the three
years he has directed it, adding:
II will say this, and say it with
out any qualifications-I'm salts
fed that a good beginning has
been made"
He may elaborate at a news con-
ference Monday. .
Mr.. Lilienthars resignation Vas
not fatally unexpected. There
have been periodic reports that he
was weary Of the post and that he
planned to step out once he felt
he had been cleared of the in
credible mismanagement" charges
made against him and the Acc by
Senator Hickenlooper, Republican.
of Iowa.
A majority of the Senate House
Atomic Energy Committee re-
ported last month that its hear
ings into the Hickenlooper charges
had been "fruitless."
But a minority report was sub
mitted b. Republican COMMITTEES
members-headed by the Iowa
Senator-sharply disagreeing.
Mcmahon Expresses Regret.
Senator Hickenlooper. former
committee chairman and now its
ranking Republican member. re-
called yesterday that he had de-
manded Mr.. Lilienthal's resigna-
ton at the outset of the investi-
cation last May.
II look forward to new stim-
ulation in our atomic program"
he said in statement issued in
Des Moines, This resignation
has now been submitted and that
phase of the matter is ended"
\ Senator Mcmahon, Democrat.
of Connecticut, joint committee
chairman, expressed regret at
losing a great public servant"
He said Mr.. Lilienthal had headed
the commission ably.
One White House intimate told
a reporter:
Make no mistake. the Presi-
dent hates like hell to lose Lilien-
thai"
Mr.. Lilienthals resignation fol-
lowed by two months Mr.. Tru-
mans announcement of Septen-
Der % that there had been an
atomic explosion in Soviet Russia.
Since that time the commission
has embarked on an accelerated
expansion program, the cost Of