Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-17

to Congress. Poee "A
that Americas atomic effective
ness" for defense will be in
creased "if certain limited in
formation on the use of atomic
weapons can be impaired more
readily to nations allied with us
in common defense"
He also asserted that economic
industrial power from atomic
energy sis clearly in sight" de-
pending largely on further re-
search and 1.-The establishment
of conditions in which the spirit
of enterprise can flourish"
Amendments Proposed.
Gen. Eisenhower proposed a
complex series of amendments
to the 1916 Atomic Energy Act
to accomplish these purposes.
which he declared would
strengthen "the defense and the
economy of the United States
apd the free world"
Some of the amendments he
urged would liberalize personnel
security provisions of the law
so as to make it no longer nee
essary for construction workers
with access to relatively insight
ficant restricted data" to have
the same full security investiga-
ton as scientists working at the
heart of atomic weapons infor-
nation.
In the atomic weapons fields,
Gen. Eisenhower urged that "au-
thority be provided to exchange
with nations participating in de-
fensive arrangements with the
United States such tactical in
formation as is essential to the
development of defense plans
and to the training of personnel
for atomic warfare"
Some Curbs Outdated.
He told Congress that some
restrictions written into the
1916 law. when the United
States had monopoly on
atomic weapons. are outdated
now. He recalled that America
atomic bomb monopoly disap-
peared in 1949 when Russia ex-
ploded an atomic device. But
he declared that mighty in
creases" in Americas own
atomic power "counterbalance
that debit on the atomic ledger.
He said that now some of
our allies" are producing ifs
sionable weapons. and asserted
that all should be made bet
ter prepared to meet the contin-
gency" Of atomic warfare
through exchange of limited in
formation on the use of weapons.
To promote domestic develop
ment of atomic energy for
peaceful purposes. the amend
ments urged by the President
would open the way for private
investment in atomic reactors
developed to produce economic
power.
Five Specific Changes.
Specifically, Gen. Eisenhower
urged amendments to the
Atomic Energy Act which would:
/. Relax restrictions against
ownership or lease of fashionable
material and of facilities capable
OF producing fashionable ma
terial.
z. Permit private manufac-
ture, ownership and operation of
atomic reactors and related &C
Invites, subject to necessary
safeguards and under licensing
systems administered by the
Atomic Energy Commission.
3. Authorize che commission
to establish minimum safety and
security regulations 70 govern
the use and possession of fiSsion-
able material.
4. Permit the commission to
supply Licensees special materials
and services needed in the initial
stages Of the new industry at
prices estimated to compensate
the Government adequately.
S. Liberalize the patent pro-
visions Of the law. principally by
expanding the area in which pri-
vate patents can be obtained
while continuing for a limited
period the authority to require
licensing of patents to others.