Evening star., 1950-04-21
Editors
Continued From First Page)

act of censorship only by under
standing it as an application of
the commissions telegraphic re-
quest to all of the scientists con-
cerned, in the words of one of the
commissioners to keep their
traps shut In short, the real
objection here appears to be ad-
dressed not to the statements
themselves, but to the fact that
particular authority was max
ing them"
Mr.. Piel admitted that strict
regulations of published material
concerning the atom was essential,
but he asked: Why should we
remain bamboozled by the atom?"
DR.. Smyth told the society that
in it's efforts to reach a satisfac-
tory formula, the agency makes
"one fundamental assumption
which may seem debatable to you
We assume that it makes a great
deal of difference who is giving
out information.
He said, for example, that the
greatest threat would be poseo
by full time commission employe
writing without supervision about
atomic matters.
"Shrewd" Guessing Ignored.
On the other extreme, he said
might be a writer who has nc
access to classified material but
who might be "shrewd enough to
pick up significant information by
interviews with people even by
guessing from published material u
He revealed that writer's in the
second category were virtually ig-
nored by the agency for fear that
in commenting on such material,
the commission might reveal the
very facts we should be withhold
ing"
He said that while unlimited
free speech might prompt an
international exchange of ideas
which might give this country bet
ter weapons, it might do the
same for a potential enemy.
"a clear. solution would only be
possible" he said, IF we knew
exactly when we might have tt
defend ourselves in another war
Would Depend on Time.
"If it were to be next year. we
should choose complete secrecy
if we were sure there would be
no war for 80 wears. we should
abandon all secrecy.
A suggestion was made at yes
terday's session that ASNE pro-
vide special committee for con.
tinuouS study of the problem o1
atomic information.
Reporting for the committee OF
world freedom of information
Basil L. Walters of the Knigh
Newspapers warned that too mucl
secrecy or undue censorship abou
atomic development leads to sus
picion and dangerous public fear
Mr.. Walters also urged tina
any move toward military contro
of atomic power be thoroughly
aired and debated by the press
Newspapers, he declared, shoul
resist any atomic censorship" b
politicians as we'll as militar,
men.
National defense, especially tn
problem of paying for militar
requirements and research, re
ceived further attention at las
nights session. Representativ
Mahon, Democrat, of Texas, chair
man of the House Armed Service
Appropriations Subcommittee tol
the more than 500 editors that tn
$13 billion military defense bulge
covers only part of the overa
story of national defense.
Prudent Spending Seen.
But the legislator said that tn
1851 defense dollar will be wisel
and prudently spent.
We'll soon be in a bette
position of readiness to fight tina,
, we have been since the end of tn
shooting in 1945," he declared. H
added that the legislators wer
convinced the $13 billion woul
provide the armed might needle
: to discourage any Russian design
despite Gen. Eisenhower's testi
: mony that around $500 millio
. more was needed to plug som
weak spots.
1--WE don't propose to go up an
down in our defense spending wit
every flying saucer that skim
across the horizon" Mr.. Maho
said. eve want to develop
steady. adequate program an
stick to it,"
Atoy,oio oporox, IayaIoxy,o,.