Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-04-11

Astiin
ocontinued From First Page.l

however, the bureau would like
to have its findings available for
study by other interested per-
sons, particularly scientists. Blu
reau people believe that such
study is bound to vindicate its
position.
But not only are Mr.. Erickson
and his fellow businessmen
barred from learning what the
bureau thinks about AD-X2-sc
are scientists who might be in a
position to Judge the contro-
versy. Anyone inquiring for in
formation at the bureau today
would receive the same answer
Mr.. Erickson received last
month.
This is because bureau per-
sonnet have been ordered fatty
to discuss the. battery additive
question with no one. The only
information given out on the
AD-X2 question is to be given
out by the Commerce Depart
ment. which itself is party to the
dispute.
Air Tight Censorship.
The censorship is complete
It is so complete that bureau
employees, questioned about the
controversy. have not even felt
free to explain that they are OPP
Grating under a gag rule.
The bureaus AD-X2 blackout
dates from last March 4. when
DR.. Astin received the following
memorandum from Craig r
Schaeffer, Assistant Secretary oil
Commerce for Domestic Affairs
II understand that your Feb
ruary 10 report as related to
MITs findings on battery addi-
tive AD-X2 (the paper Mr.. Erick-
son wanted, to see) has beer
mailed to various Government
agencies and elsewhere.
Until we determine, by com.
plete investigation, the stand the
Department of Commerce is tt
take in this case, it is advisable
that distribution of reports
pamphlets and other data re.
ferring to additives and particu-
larly the issue of AD-X2 be hele
up except for exclusive use of de.
partmentS of the Government.
Twill you please. therefore
issue such instructions to bureau
personnel"
| Astin Complies.
The next day DR.. Astin COM
piled with Mr.. Schaeffer's re.
quest by forwarding this mem
orandum to his division chiefs:
Pending review of the battery
additive situation by the de-
partment, no distribution is
advisable of reports, pamphlets
and other data or information
on this subject except for ex-
elusive use of departments Of
the Government. In order, to
simplify the handling of requests
for information all inquiries
irrespective of source, shall be
directed to Mr.. Hugh Odishaw.'
Mr.. Odishaw is DR.. Astin's
assistant.
Within a day or so the bureau
learned just how serious the
Commerce Department was
about its effort to suppress the
findings on AD-X2. j. L. Ma
thusa, head of the bureaus pub
locations section, received a tel
ephone call from the Commerce
publications chief. He was tolc
to burn all existent copies OF
the bureaus circular No. 504
it's latest definitive work on the
properties of battery additives
Mr.. MathuSa demurred. He
finally persuaded the Commerce
Department to settle for ar
agreement that all copies of the
circular would be impounded
but not destroyed.
Censorship frightened.
Early this month the censor
ship rule was frightened anC
made more explicit. DR.. AStir
passed on to his staff Assistant
Secretary Schaeffer's orders or
April z, as follows: "You are
directed to withhold from issue
and distribution circular 5O4
and all other circulars and tech
meal reports dealing with bat
terry additives."
On the same day the follow
ing memorandum went out II
w. r. Tilley, chief of the tech
nical reports section. over thu
signature of Mr.. Odishaw: III
the light of instructions received
from the Assistant Secretary o.
Commerce for Domestic Affair
you are hereby instructed to i'm.
pound, and under no condition
to release without my approva
(and my approval shall be re-
stricted to authorizing you te
fill requests for the department
ITSELF any reports or documents
pertaining to battery addi-
tiveS :"
A similar memorandum went
on the same day to Mr.. Mathusa
in the publications section.
These are the orders, passed
on verbally by section chiefs tc
nk-and-file employees of the
bureau. which today have made
them afraid to speak about bat
terry additives. even behind closed
doors. These are the orders
which have created a blackout OF
information threatening to OBJ
scure forever the truth of this
strange controversy.
Grounded Ship Reflected
ROTTERDAM, The Neither