Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-09
Atomic
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ing that the investigation will not
be either persecution or q white
wash Of the commission.
Mr.. Strauss was the dissenting
member In the 4-to-1 decision Of
the commission in authorizing
radioactive isotopes from this
country's atomic piles to be ex-
ported. mainly for medical re-
search.
Not Useful for Atomic Weapons.
Mr.. Strauss was called back to-
day to explain why he disagreed
with the rest of the commission.
He testified that when the issue
first came up in 1947 he lex
pressed doubt that the proposed
conditions surrounding ship
ment) could effectively prevent
their use for unfriendly purposes
of their divergence to unfriendly
hands"
Mr.. Strauss said the minutes Of
the Acc show that he never con-
tended the isotopes in question
could be used by other countries
to produce atomic weapons. but
could be most useful as. research
tools in biological warfare, in
cracking petroleum and in de-
veloping Jet and rocket motors.
Mr.. Strauss quoted a commits
sion press release as stating that
foreign governments whose re-
search workers request radioac-
tive isotopes must first agree to
permit qualified scientists ir-
respective of nationality to visit
the installations where the ma
terials will be used to obtain In
formation freely"
The Strauss added it has been
his understanding that this de-
finitely does not exclude scientists
working for the Russian govern
ment.
Sees Security Paramount.
Mr.. Strauss said he wanted to
anticipate criticism of his position
"by stating that I am not an iso-
lationist and never have BEEN"
He said that as far back asvd9l6
he began interesting himself In
human welfare irrespective Of ma
tionality. including medical re-
search into radiation as a possible
cure for cancer.
National security, however.
must be my paramount respon-
sibility as long as I serve as a
member of this commission" he
added.
Mr.. Jackson asked Mr.. Strauss
point blank If he thought the
commission is guilty of "incredi-
BILE miSmanagement."
Mr.. Strauss hesitated, and Mr..
Jackson noted it.
Il wish you would permit my
hesitancy to continue" Mr.. Strauss
said. but Mr.. Jackson insisted on
an answer.
Finally Mr.. Strauss replied that
he has been too close to the pic
ture" to evaluate the work prop
erly.
II think In q number of re-
spects we have done a remarkably
fine job" he said. but we also
have made q number Of mistakes.
The evaluation of our performance
must be made from the outside"
Sees Error of Judgment.
Mr.. Strauss replied with q fiat
mo" when Mr.. Jackson asked If
he thought the commission guilty
of incredible mismanagement" in
the way it has handled the isotope
shipments abroad.
IT think this was an error in
Judgment" Mr.. Strauss said. II
don't think it had anything to do
with management"
Cites Ban Under Law.
Senator Hickenlooper. who made
the original charge that the ship
ment was illegal and departure
from President Humans estab-
lished program Of exporting iso-
topes for medical and other hui
manitarian PURPOSES only. said
yesterday he was not challenging
the isotope export program gen.
orally.
Senators Millikin. Republican.
of Colorado. and Knowland. Re-
publican, OF California, cited
a section of the Atomic Energy
Law forbidding the exchange Of
information with other nations
that would contribute to industrial