Evening star., 1953-06-08
Atomic Bomb Output
Increase Is Straininq
Storage Facilities
By Robert K. Welsh

lie AIOIIIlC GIicI SJ NOlAAALIIo"
sion's hydrogen bomb plant at
Savannah River, S. c., has
started operations and the Acc
Is producing regular atomic
bombs so fast it is running out
of space to store them. it was
disclosed today.
In testimony released by a
House Appropriations subcom-
mittee. Acc Chairman Gordon
Dean described the start of work
at Savannah River and said a
boost of more than Is per cent
in production of atomic materi-
ais and weapons is scheduled for
next year. And he emphasized
that the commission regards 1854
as a year of urgency" in view
of Russia's all-out program to
overtake Americas atomic lead.
Ask Fund Reduction.
Mr.. Dean said the commission
believes it can get along on $496
million less than the Truman
budget request of last January,
although this takes a calcu-
lated risk"
A revision approved by the
Budget Bureau asked for 81, l,096,-
100000 in operating and plant
funds for the Acc during the
fiscal year beginning July l. SAL
million less than Congress gave
the commission last year. An
independent Agencies appro-
priations bill including funds for
the Acc. the Tennessee Valley
Authority and the Selective
Service System is expected to be
ready for House action by
June II.
Need Storage Space.
Brig. Gen. K. E. Fields. chief
of military application for
atomic developments, said more
than $31 million has been re-
Quested for the construction of
storage sites to accommodate
atomic weapons to be produced
during the next several years" "
Present storage facilities are
rapidly being filled, he said.
Mr.. Dean told the subcommlt-
tee that the commission CO.
operated in the downward re-
vision because of the necessity
of national BUDGET economy in
keeping with NJ onal safety. He
did not say me revised sums
we're dangerously low. He noted
that the proposed cuts would
not seriously affect production
operations. But he declared:
This is an appropriation re-
quest which. in our sincere be-
lief. is not only pared to the bone
but one which takes calculated
risk in not providing funds for
essential things which develop
ments during the fiscal year
might otherwise permit.
"Ore deliveries, for example.
may exceed the amounts
budgeted. The development of
power reactors will be slowed
down. Research funds will not
permit full exploitation of
promising paths of inquiry.
Furthermore, costs in our busi-
ness are not as readily predict
able as in more established en-
terprises."
Cites Danger of Cuts.
Urging Congress to provide at
least the sums suggested in the
revised budget, Mr.. Dean en-
phasized that "it would be the
greatest tragedy" if this coun-
try cut the present level Of
funds necessary for production
of fashionable materials and
weapons and the maintenance
of healthy research and de-
velopment program.
Il say this with some feeling" ="
he told the subcommittee, be
cause l have been going over
the Russian program lately. I
cannot help but compare ours
to theirs and to the way they
are approaching it. They have
the highest priority for it. I
found out recently they have
over 100000 men working for
the large uranium mining COM
pany in East Germany.
They have every priority
throughout their projects. They
have unlimited means and un-
limited manpoWer. I think 1854
is going to be a very important
year in our program and I trem-
BILE to think that we might
slacken off"
Programs Other Aspects
Mr.. Deans testimony touched
on numerous other aspects of
the atomic energy program and
problem. He reported that:
/. I'VE are at work on a most