Evening star., 1952-07-31
Progress Good
InA-Weapons,
Acc Reports
Record Production
Of Uranium by U. S.
Spurs NucIeur Work
By jones E. Roper

today announced Substantial
progress" in developing atomic
weapons from a record output of
American uranium.
And even more uranium, the
commission announced, soon will
be available from mines in the
United States, South Africa and
Australia.
Higher production of the A
metal Is needed to feed the vast
atomic program that is costing the
United States more than $40 mil
lion per day.
The disclosures came in the
Aces semiannual report to Con-
greSs.
Although, for reasons of Sc
curity, it is impossible here to
specify the record of accomplish
ment in weapons development, it
may be stated that substantial
progress was made" the report
said.
The commission added that,
production of atomic weapons
proceeded steadily"
New Developments Made.
Research in a variety of sub
jects." it said, continued to yield
new developments applicable to
weapons; work continued on the
application of these improvements
to the design of specific weapon
models to meet the various needs
of the armed forces"
The commission said domestic
production of uranium, sis in
creasing and new sources, both
foreign and domestic, are nearly
ready for initial production.
1.-THE first of several plants
being constructed in South Africa
to recover uranium from the gold
ores of the Rand is nearly ready
to start production" the COM
mission said. "An agreement was
reached with Australia to supply
uranium to the United States"
This was the first time The
Acc has mentioned Australian
uranium. No details were given.
How Money Is Spent.
The commission noted that
Congress has appropriated SAL
billion for the atomic program
during fiscal 1858. Then it gave
these carefully worded reports on
how some of the money is being
spent:
/. Almost 3 per cent of the
Nations construction force is at
work building atomic projects.
2. Acc is searching for a site
for q newly authorized project,
but is handicapped because the
gigantic plant must be built near
4 big power source-the A-plant
will use more electricity than all
Of New York City.
8. Completion of the first units
of the huge gaseous diffusion plant
at Paducah, KY, "will be COM
pleted later than originally sched-
uled, but the last units will be
ready for operation by the dates
originally set" No dates were
made public.
4. At the Savannah River Is. c.
plant now under construction, 96
per cent of the land has been
acquired, 20 million cubic yards
Of earth have been excavated, one
half million cubic yards of con-
crete poured and 10000 tons of
structural steel erected. Builders
are on 54-hour work week.
Bomb Tempo Increases.
ALI of this implied an ever
higher tempo of bomb-making in
the United States.
Some of Americas plants turn
ing out fashionable materials were
worked beyond their rated capac-
ity during the first half of this
year. the Atomic Commission dis
closed.
It related how it has paid out
more than 100000 in bonuses to
uranium prospectors, how stations
for buying and treating uranium
ore are being built in the West,
with special highways under con-
Struction to serve them.
Atoms Medical Uses.
The commission also reported
Significant advances" toward i'm
proved reactors, and medical uses
Of the atom.
The University of California
found high energy deuterons-
atomic bullets in treat
ing deep-seated, diseased tissue in
mice. Scientists found that the
particles travel so fast that they
pass through the outer skin and
flesh without causing harm, but
"by the time they reach the dis
eased tissue they are slowed down
so that their lethal work is con-
centrated on the deep-lying target
cells or tissue"
Acc said scientists also have
calculated the dose Of radioactive
carbon human being may take
safely. This may lead to wider
use Of the isotope which helps
doctors diagnose internal illnesses
and learn more about the func-
doning Of the human body.
The ACC reported an "impor-
tant extension" of its work to
learn how to treat persons who
have suffered from radiation that
might be caused by an enemy
atomic bomb. The Argonne Ma
tional Laboratory near Chicago
and the National Cancer Institute
injected bone marrow from heal
thy mice into mice that had been
exposed to radiation. q found
Athat q few milligrams iniectel int
mouse within an hour afte. ex-
pNsure "gives significant protec.
ton against the lethal effects n
radiation"
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