Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-10-19
Atomic Bomb Program
To Be Speeded Up in
Major Expansion
BY the Associated Press

The United States is going to
speed up its atomic bomb pro-
gram.
An accelerated expansion of IA
eilities and operations at two key
plants, Oak Ridge, Tenn, and
Hanford. Wash, will cost in ex-
cess Of 100000, it has been
learned from authoritative sources.
Two moves in the Senate late
yesterday paved the way for the
program.
One was the disclosure by
Chairman Mcmahon of the SEN
ate-House Atomic Committee that
President Truman had authorized
the Atomic Energy Commission to
use some of its budgetary reserves
ITO get started on this PROPOSE
ton"
The reserves to be used amount
to approximately $4,000 900, or
about 10 per cent of the overall
program which is to be financed
by deficiency appropriations bill
IN the next session of Congress.
The second move was Senate
approval of a measure by Sena-
tor Mcmahon to lift some of the
spending curbs imposed on the
Acc earlier in the session. This
still is subject to House approval.
Reported Planned Since Spring.
Senator Mcmahon refused to
answer when asked by newsmen
whether the speed-up action is
the result of.~recent disclosures
that Soviet Russia has had an
atomic explosion.
At the United Nations yester-
day, Andrei Vishinsky, Soviet
Foreign Minister. restated to
news conference the Soviet claim
that Russia has had the bomb
since 1947.
Senator Mcmahon, while saying
that major expansion effort" is
being undertaken, emphasized
that it is AN acceleration of
planned production that has been
in the planning stage since last
spring"
Senator Mcmahon made the an
nouncement of the Presidents
authorization following a closed
committee meeting with Acc
officials. The Senator predicted
the acceleration would probably
result in speeding up the Acc
construction program by three
or four months"
He would not disclose any de-
tails OF the program, or. say what
facilities and operations are to be
accelerated. Neither. was any
breakdown Of the ALLEGATIONS to
the two plants made available.
I Hanford is the center of the
plutonium operations, while Oak
Ridge turns out uranium-both
key materials for atomic bombs.
Hickenlooper Cites Importance,
The Senate acted to modify the
curos on Acc spending after an
appeal from Senator Mcmahon
which brought support from two
key Republicans on the joint
committee Senators Hicken-
topper of Iowa and Millikin of
Colorado.
Senator Hickenlooper, an arch
critic Of Acc Chairman David E.
Lilenthal and his policies, called
the measure offered by Senator
McMahon of unique importance
to the atomic program"
Senator Millikin said it was I
"very. important to national ssf
cVrttys''~s@ ~ -. - 80. IF
"he'curbs on commission spend-
Ing were imposed by Senate APP
preparations Subcommittee follow
ing disclosures that the cost of
some Of the Aces projects were
tar exceeding original estimates.
The restrictions provided gen. I
orally for approval by the budget |
bureau and Congress of commits
sion projects under certain con- /
ditio1s.
Senator Mcmahon said the re-
strictions would have the effect of
slowing down vital commission
projects.
His bill. which the Senate ap-
proved by voice vote, provides that
the curbs should not apply with
respect to technical and produc-
ton facilities % If the Acc Ger
tifies to the budget director that
immediate construction or i'm
mediate continuation of consti'uc-
ton is necessary to national de-
tense and 90 if the budget direc-
tor agrees that such certiflcation
Is justified.