Evening star., 1952-06-14
Truman Reveals Atomic Enoine
IoPropel Subs Is Nearly Ready;
Assoi|s Congress Economy Bloc
Almost Miraculous
Speed on Job Hailed
In Speech at Groton
BY Joseph A. Fox
Sfor StoM cerraspondent

dROTON. Conn, June IL
President Truman announced to-
day that full-sized atomic engine
for use in a submarine is nearly
complete and ready for testing.
He said this opened up breath
taking" possibilities for the peace
full use Of atomic energy when
the cold war eases.
Mr.. Truman warned, however,
that as long as world tensions con-
tinue, the United States must con-
centrate on military uses of atomic
energy and avoid attempts at
"cut-rate. bargain-counter" de-
Tense schemes.
The President. speaking at the
keel-laying of Americas first
atomic powered submarine, the
Nautilus, blasted Congressman
who have passion for economy
regardless of consequences"
No Cut-Rate Security.
With plain reference to Gen.
Eisenhower's advocacy of a $40
billion tax cut in the next two or
three years. the President first
said that II think the efforts that
are being made to sell the Ameri-
can people on the idea that there
Is some cut-rate. bargain-counter
route to National security are very
dangerous" then he added:
"The difficulty is that the Amer
lean people are getting all kinds
Of foolish advice from persons who
ought to know better. This is a
political year and politics does
funny things to people who are
seeking Office. Now the air is filled
with promises to strengthen ma
tional security and cut taxes all
at the same time. I even heard
the other day that somebody was
talking about a $40 billion tax cut.
That would leave us with only
about half enough money to sup
port our armed forces even if we
didn't spend a cent for anything
else"
1t was the second time in two
days that the President has taken
backhanded SlapS at Gen. Eisen-
howers tactics in seeking the Re-
publican presidential nomination.
Sub Is Under Construction. ;
Mr.. Truman spoke in the south
yard OF the electric boat division
cf the General Dynamics Corp,
where the Nautilus is under con-
4truction.
He related that scientists at
hrst thought they would need 10
years to build an atomic power
plant for the sub, but now they
have neared their goal after an
almost miraculous" speed-up.
THE Atomic Energy Commits
sion and the Navy have actually
gone out and built a submarine
hull on dry land at Arco, Idaho,"I
President Truman said. They
are putting into it a full-size,
working engine, complete in all
respectS-the same kind of engine
that will be used in this ship.
THAT engine on dry land is al
most complete right now. Soon
they will start it running and give
1t the most thorough tests. And,
believe it or not, when they are
through working with that model
1t win be perfectly possible to
hitch 1t up to turn out electricity,
like any other dry land power
plant.
Speed on Project Hailed.
"Alpthis has been accomplished
in an amazingly short period of
time. When it was started four
years ago, most people thought it
would take at least 10 years, if it
could be done at all. But one
tough problem after another has
been conquered in a fashion that
seems almost miraculous, and the
work has forged ahead"
Listening were shipyard work.
erS, Gov. John Lodge of Con-
necticut. high Navy officials and
Chairman Gordon Dean of the
Atomic Energy Commission.
Mr.. Dean declared that "this
submarine is going to work, and
when it does work it is going to
be the forerunner of a new era,
not only in naval warfare, but in
the history of mankind"
The White House withheld from
reporters the text of Mr.. Tru-
mans address until shortly be-
fore he spoke. Usually reporters
get copies Of such talks hours or
sometimes days in advance. The
White House did not explain the
usual secrecy in this case.
Mr.. Truman regretted that the
world situation prevented the
United States from concentratingl
on peaceful uses of A-power.
But until that time comes, heI
said, the United States must bear
the cost Of defense. spurning po-
litically inspired economy moves
Praises Connecticut Senators.
He praised as 1.-TWO of the best"
legislators Connecticut's Demo-
cratic Senators Mcmahon and
Benton.
He pointed out that Senator
McMahon, as chairman of the
Joint Committee on Atomic En-
ersy, helped speed construction
Of the Nautilus.
"Then there is Bill Benton"
President Truman said. bill is
always on the right side of every
tough fight that comes along. And
the thing ! admire about him
most is his courage.
He has stepped right up and
tagged Joe Mccarthy for what
he is. when q lot Of other people
were running for cover-or were