davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1954-03-31
Wind Conditions
Surveyed Carefully

Before the shot takes place,
there is a careful survey of the
winds at all elevations up to
many thousands of feet. This
survey is conducted by weather
stations on islands and on fleet
units at widely separated
points. Contrary to general
belief, winds do not blow in
only one direction at a given
time and place. At various
heights above the earth, winds
are found to be blowing fire.
quently in opposite directions
and at greatly varying speeds.
An atomic cloud is therefore
sheared by these winds as it
rises through them.
The meteorologists attempt
to forecast the wind direction
for the optimum condition and
the task force commander
thereupon decides on the basis
of the weather reports when
the test shall be made. The
weather forecast is necessarily
long-range because warming
area must be searched for
shipping and the search which
is carried out both usually and
by radar in P2V Navy planes
requires a day or more to
complete.
The warning area" is an
area surrounding the proving
grounds within which it is de-
termined that a hazard to ship
ping or aviation is believed to
exist. We have established
many such areas off the
Pacific coast at Pc'1t
Magu, and of the Ha
wauan Islands. Here is
large guided missile warning
area from Florida across the
Bahamas. Here is one main
tanned by Great Britain of
Australia. Including our con-
tinental warning areas. we
have established a total of 447
such warning and/or danger
areas. This particular warm
ing area was first established in
1947. The United Nations were
advised and appropriate no.
tices were carried then and
subsequently in marine and
aeration navigational manuals.
Despite such notices there
are many instances where acci-
dents or near accidents have
resulted from inadvertent tres
pass in such warning areas.
The very size of them makes it
impossible to fence or police
them. For the day of shot
number one, the meteorologists
had predicted a wind condition
which should have carried the
fall-out to the north of the
Evening star., 1954-03-31
March ] BIost
Not Out of Control

Now as to this specific test
series. The first shot has been
variously described as "devas-
tating." "out of control" and
with other exaggerated and
mistaken characteriZationS. /
would not wish to minimize it.
It was a StupendouS blast in
the megaton range but at
no time was the testing out
of control. The misapprehen-
sion seems to have arisen due
to two facts. First. that the
yield was about double that OF
the calculated estimate "a
margin of error not incom-
-patible with a totally new
weapon. 1.-THE range OF
guesses on the first A bomb
covered a relatively far wider
spectrum Second, because
of the results of the "fall-out."
= When large explosion
occurs on or within a certain
distance Of the ground. an
amount of earth or water or
I whatever is beneath the center
of the explosion is sucked up
into the air. The heavy par
ticles fall out quickly. The
lighter ones are borne away in
the direction of the wind until
they too settle out. If the ex-
plosion is a nuclear one, many
of these particles are radioac-
tive as are the vaporized parts
Of the weapon itself.
For this reason the Atomic
Energy Commission has con-
Quoted the tests of its larger
weapons away from the MAIN
land so that the fall-out would
occur in the C<ean where it
would be quickly disSipated
both by dilution and by the
rapid decay of most of the
radioactivity which is of short
duration. The Marshall Is
lands were selected for the site
of the first large-scale tests
Operation Crossroads - for
reasons which will be apparent
from the maps which I shall
show you. The late Admiral
w. II. P. Blandy, under whom
! had the privilege of serving,
selected the Bikini site.
The Marshall Islands during
the months of February,
March and April are usually
favored by winds which would
blow away from any inhabited
atolls. The two atolls of Bikini
EniWetok were chosen as the
base of these operations. Each
of these atolls is a large neck
lace of coral reef surrounding
Evening star., 1954-03-31
Statement Made
By Strauss Before
Press al White House
Continued From First Page0

Continued From First Page0
work on this weapon sub
stantially before we did.
The present series of tests
has been long in the planning.
It is conducted Jointly by the
Atomic Energy Commission
and the Department of De-
fenSe. A task force composed
of the three armed services
and a scientific staff repre-
senting the commission was
established last year in accord
ance with the procedure sue
cessfully followed in preceding
tests outside our continental
limits. The Navy, Air Force.
and Army have successfully
supplied the command for the
task forces.
Early this January, men
and supplies began to move
out to the proving grounds for
this series. The first shot took
place on its scheduled date of
March l, and the second on
March 26. Both were success
full. No test is made without
a definite purpose and a care
full determination that it is
directed toward an end result
of major Importance to our
military strength and readi-
ness. These are no idle or
wanton tests. The results which
the scientists at Los Alamos
and Livermore had hoped to OBJ
tain from these two tests were
fully realized. and enormous
potential has been added to
our military posture by what
We have learned.
It should also be noted that
the testing of weapons is i'm
portant likewise in order to
be fully aware of the possible.
future, aggressive ability Of an
enemy for we now fully know
that we possess no monopoly
of capability in this awesome
field.
Evening star., 1954-03-31
u. S. Prepared
To Pay Japanese

In the matter of indemni-
flying the japanese, our Gov
ernment has informed the
japanese government that it
is prepared TO agree to reim-
burSement for such financial
assistance as the japanese
government and our Embassy
in Tokyo, Jointly. may find
necessary as an interim meas
ure to give to the persons in
volved for current medical
care and family relief. includ-
ing wages.
With respect to the appre-
hension that fall-out radio
activity would move toward
Japan on the japanese Cur
rent, i can state that any
radioactivity falling into the
test area would become harm
less within a few miles after
being picked up by these cur
rents, which move slowly NeSs
than l mile per hour and
would be completely undetect-
lble within 500 miles or less.
With respect to q story
which received some currency
last week to the effect that
there is danger of a fall-out of
radioactive material in the
United States, it should be
noted that after every test we
have had. and the Russian
tests as we'll, there is a small
increase in natural back
ground radiation in some To-
calities within the continental
United States, but. currently,
1t is less than that observed
after some Of the previous
continental and overseas tests.
and far below the levels which
could be harmful in any way
to human beings, animals or
crops. 1t will decrease rapidly
after the tests until the radia-
ton level has returned approx
imately to the normal back
ground.
A recent comment which I
have been shown has suggest
ed that the incident involving
the fall-out on inhabited areas
was actually a planned part
of the operation. do not
wish to comment on this other
than to characterize it as ut
terly false. irresponsible end
gravely unjust to the men en-
gagged in this patriotic service.
Finally. I would say that one
important result of these hy-
drogen bomb Developments
has been the enhancement of
our military capability to the
point where We should soon be
more free to increase our en-
phasis on the peaceful uses of
atomic power-at home and
abroad. It will be a tremen-
douS satisfaction to those who
have participated in this pro-
gram that it has fastened that
daV-
Evening star., 1954-03-31
All Affected Persons
Reported Well

The task force commander
promptly evacuated all the
people from these islands.
They were taken to Kwaja-
lein where We maintained a
naval establishment and there
placed under continuous and
competent medical supervision.
visited them there last week.
Since that time. it has been
determined that our weather
personnel could be returned to
duty but are still being kept
on Kwajalein for the benefit
Of further observation. None
OF the % weather personnel
have burns. The 236 natives
also appeared to me to be we'll
and happy. The exceptions
were two sick cases among
them. one an aged man in ad-
vanced stages Of diabetes, the
other a very old woman with
Gripping arthritis. Neither of
these cases have any connec-
ton with the tests. Today,
a full month after the event,
the medical staff on Kwajalein
have advised us that they an
ticipate no illness, barring of
course disease which might be
hereafter contracted. We have
more natives than we started
with. One child has been born
in the group and others are
expected.
The situation with respect
to the % japanese fishermen
is less certain due to the fact
that our people have not yet
been permitted by the Japa-
nese authorities to make a
proper clinical examination.
1t is interesting to note, how
ever. that the reports which
have recently come through
to us indicate that the blood
count of these men is COM
parable to that of our weather
station personnel. Skin LESSONS
observed are thought to be due
to the chemical activity of the
converted material in the
coral rather than to radio
activity. since these LESSONS are
said to be already healing.
The men are under continual
observation by japanese ply
sicianS. and we are represented
in Japan by DR.. Morton of the
Atomic Bomb Casualty Com
Evening star., 1954-03-31
Wholesale Food
Prices at Highest
Point Since 1915
BY the Associoted Press

NEW YORK. Mar. 31.-Whole-
sale food prices, as measured by
Dun & Bradstreet, climbed this
week to their highest point since
the agency started keeping rec
ordS in 1916.
At $7.42 the index was up
TIA per cent from the same week
of 1858. when it stood at $6.32.
1t compared with $7.34 last week
and with the previous high of
$7.36 on July 13. 1948.
The index represents the total
cost at wholesale of l pound
each of 81 foods in common use.
Evening star., 1954-03-31

give nothing to employees In the
flrst two grades and less than
$500 a year to more than IS
per cent Of classified employees,
should be given more of an in
crease.
i don't object to giving ade-
quate raises to higher-bracket
employees, but we should also
give more of an increase to the
lower -salaried employees" Mr..
Hagen said.
Representative Withrow, Re-
publican, of Wisconsin also ex-
pressed the view that the ad-
mlnlstration's pay proposals
were too low.
He declared that the last
Federal pay raise, in June, 1851,
fell far short of enabling Gov
ernment workers to catch up
with the rise in the cost Of living
and that living costs had in
creased another 4 per cent since
that time.
Mr.. Young told the committee
that the salary of Government
clerks and Office workers COM
pared favorably for the most
part with comparable jobs in
private industry. In most in
stances Federal salaries were
larger, he declared.
Evening star., 1954-03-31

group of small atolls lying to
the east of Bikini. The survey
aircraft carefully searched the
area and reported no shipping.
The shot was fired. The wind
failed to follow the predictions
but shifted south of that line
and the little islands of Rom
gelap, Rongerik and Uterik
were in the path of the fall
out.
A Japanese fishing trawler,
the Fortunate Dragon, appears
to have been missed by the
search but. based on a state
ment attributed to her skipper.
to the effect that he saw the
flash of the explosion and
heard the conclusion six min
uteS later, it must have been
we'll within the danger area.
The % crew members on the
ship. % American personnel
manning weather stations on
the little islands. and the 236
natives on these islands were
therefore within the area of
the fall-out. The supposition
that the actual blast of the
bomb extended over such
enormous areas is. of course,
strictly untrue.
Evening star., 1954-03-31

Chairman Carlson of the COM
mittee has called his group into
closed session tomorrow to ap-
prove the measure.
FEDERAL PAY-Meanwhile,
the Senate Civil Service Commit
tee has scheduled opening hear
ing for April % and % on Fed
eral pay raise legislation. It also
will hold postal rate hearings on
April 10 and 20.
AS in the case Of the House
Civil Service Committee, the
Senate group first will hear testi-
mony on postal salary legislation
and then delve into the classified
phase of Federal pay raises.
! Post Office Department officials
will be heard on April % and %.
Employe union leaders will be
heard the following week, al
though no specific date has been
set.
Meanwhile. Civil Service Com
mission Chairman Philip Young
returns for more questioning to-
day as the House Civil Service
Committee continues its Federal
pay raise hearings. Mr.. Young
yesterday told the committee the
administration couldn't afford
more than the 3ia per cent
classified pay reclassif1cation
increase plan 1t presented to
Congress last month.
A number of committee men,
bers challenged the administra- =
tons pay plan. Representatives
Hagen Of Minnesota and Corbett
of Pennsylvania. Republicans,
and Moss of California and
Lesinski Of Michigan. Democrats,
said the pay proposals were too
low.
I'VE aren't going to balance
the budget anyway and we still
are operating on a deficit" Rep
reSentative Corbett declared.
so why should We try to econ
omize at the expense of persons
in this case loyal. capable en-
ployes-rather than economizing
on things. Government employees
are entitled to a decent salary
For my part. II We want to start
economizing let's cut foreikn aid.
Don't let's take it odt on our
devoted and capable public
servants"
Mr.. Corbett asked Mr.. Young
to furnish the committee as soon
AS possible with the following in
formation: What would an
across-the- board 10 per cent in
crease for classified and postal
workers cost? What would
S400 pay raise for all classified
and postal workers cost? What
would be the cost Of a graduated
pay raise that would give en-
ployeS in grades / to 3 a IL per
cent raise. grades 4 to s 10
per cent raise. grades Z to 9 an
8 per cent raise. grades 10 to II
a 6 per cent raise. grades 13 to
IS a 4 per cent raise and grades
Is to l8 a 2 per cent raise. Mr..
Young said he would furnish the
information within the next few
days.
In another pay development
two top postal employe leaders
will go on the air tonight on a
national broadcast to state their
views for a substantial postal
pay raise. Several weeks ago, on
Evening star., 1954-03-31

a lagoon 2 to 3 hundreds Of
square miles in area, and at
various points on the reef like
beads on a string appear a
multitude of little islands,
some a few score acres in
extent-others no more than
SandSpits.
It is these small. uninhabited.
treelesS sand bars which ave
used for the experiments. AS
a matter of fact, the task force
dredged up enough sand and
coral to build one of these So
called islands to have it where
it was wanted most advantage
ously for shot number one. The
impression that an entire atoll
or even large islands have been
destroyed in these tests is er-
roneouS. 1t would be more ac-
curate to say a large sandspit
or reef.
Evening star., 1954-03-31
The Weather Here and Over the Nation

District and vicinlty-Rain
likely tonight and tomorrow.
possibly mixed with snow. Con-
tinued cold with low about 30
tonight.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. rain in
south and rain probably mixed
with snow in north portion to-
night and tomorrow. Mostly
snow or Sleet in extreme west
portion. Continued cold with
low tonight 30-38, except $3.50
on Allegheny Plateau.
Evening star., 1954-03-31

on the legisla
ton about six
W e e ks a g o.
T h ere ha d
b e en- reports
that action
had been held
up on the bill
at the admin
istrat tons re-
quest.
H o W ev er,
a d m ! n iStra-
tion officials
S a y t h e Y
strongly favor
fhn hill n ~ n
Evening star., 1954-03-31

Virginia-Occasional rain to-
night and tomorrow. probably
mixed with some snow in the
mountains and in northwest
portions. Little change in tenn
perature. Low tonight 30-35 in
north and 35-40 in south por-
tions.
Wind-NortheaSt. 1923 miles
per hour tonight, becoming
River Report
From U s EngineersD
Potomac River cloudy at Harpers
Ferry and clear at Great Falls: Shenan.
doah cloudy at HarperS Ferry
Evening star., 1954-03-31
Argentine Reds Seized

BUENOs AIRES. Mar. 81 up.
Argentine federal police said
yesterday they arrested four
Communists in Junin, Buenos
Aires province. on charges of
acting against the security OF the
state.
Evening star., 1954-03-31

BE sare to keep up with all
the latest Government en-
ployeS newS by reading the
Federal Spotlight column sir
days tCeek in The Star and
listening to the Federal Spot
light radio broadcast at GAS
pm. each Saturday ouer
WMALJ
Evening star., 1954-03-31
The Federal Spotlight
The Federal Spotlight
Senate Groups Approval Seen
Tomorrow on Fringe Benefits
By Joseph YOUNG

The Senate Civil Service Committee expected
the bill beraizng Government empoye fringe
Committee members predict the group will indorse bill
which would increase overtime and longevity benefits
the Governments incentive awards program When
Evening star., 1954-03-31
Courage at
D|ENB|ENPHU

1t all too for the American public to think of the
long and bitter fight at Dienbenphu purely terms of
the effect of defeat victory upon world politics 1t was
well worth while therefore, for President Eisenhower to
point out what the struggle terms of the skill
and courage of the French Union and Wet Namese troops
who are standing off their foes in the fortress.
In many respects the battle for Dienbenphu is the
greatest of the 1ndo-Chnese War For whatever
and there number of possible ones-the Wet Mimi
rebels have concentrated much of their field army take
this position By doing they have invested the siege
with an importance that be greater than the strategic
value of Dienbenphu itself. To the defenders, off
from ground communication with their supports assaled
from high ground all about their strong points, the
tion is extremely difficult President Eisenhower COM
under the guns and the eyes of the Germans AS Anzo
the Frenched troops in the IndoChinese battle hght-
hard and WELL and their successful defense could be
important in the present campaign Anzo for
victory in Italy.
. Perhaps Dienbenphu there veterans of Bir
Hacheim, where the French threw back attack after
tack of the Aka Corps in critical phase of World War
H. Certainly the who fighting under Colonel De
Cases have displayed all the stubbonness of those who
rallied around General Koeng in Lbya all the of
those who followed General Lecerc from Lake Chad to
the Danube and the fighting power of the battaons that
General JUN led to victory at Casino Whatever the
result of the battle for Dienbenphu defenders have
earned the right bear the letters of gold upon
their standards, nrom The New York Herald Trbune)
Evening star., 1954-03-31

rider, increase the number or
super-grade jobs and place Gus
todial employees under wage
boards.
The committee held hearings
Evening star., 1954-03-31

the "Three Star Extra" program
on NBC, the Post Office Depart
ments pay reclassification plan,
which provides an average 500
increase, was highly praised.
The postal unions wrote to the
sponsor demanding time to pre-
sent their case for a substantial
Federal pay raise. The time was
granted. William C. Doherty,
president of the National ASSo-
citation of Letter Carriers, and
E. c. Hallbeck, legislative direc-
tor OF the National Federation of
Post Once Clerks, will present
the postal employees side of the
controversy at GAS pm. over
WRC.
EMPLOYMENT DROP-Gov-
ernment employment in the
Washington area dropped by 400
during February, for a new total
Of 218,400. Nationwide, Federal
employment decreased by 7,7OO
for a new total of 1889, 800.
CAPITOL HILL - Douglas
Burger, the administrative as
siStant to Representative Broy-
hill, Republican, of Virginia has
resigned.
CAA-Civil Aeronautics Ad-
mlnistrator Fred B. Lee has is
sued a statement fatty denying
rumors that the agency would
be moved to Suitland, Md.
Il am asking you to discount
rumors about the CAA moving
to Suitland, which were started
by some telephone people who
were asked to move some tele-
phone lines" Mr.. Lee said.
There is no space available in
Sultland."
CAPITAL ROUNDUP - The
Civil Service Commission has
started a program to counsel and
inform veterans of thei. rights
and benefits in connection with
Federal employment. The Dis
trict Chapter of the American
Legion will sponsor a iob-coun-
selling clinic on the nights of
April 81, % and % in room 200
Of the commissions main build
ing. . The csc has announced
an exam for meteorological aides
in the Weather Bureau at ST.
$50 to $3,410 a year. Robert
Amidon, a professional stat
member of the House Civil Serv-
ice Committee. is the proud IA
ther of an 8-pound daughter.
Patricia Lynne. The Gov
ernment Printing Office has es-
tablished an offset division to
coordinate all elements of offset
production. John L. Grant. for
merly head presSman. was
named superintendent of the di-
vision.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-05
Ex-Coge Star
Replaces Eddy
In NovyPost

Capt. G. Elliott Loughlin,
former Naval Academy basket
ball and tennis star, will return
to the academy as athletic direc-
tor July 80. succeeding Capt. Ian
c. Eddy, it was announced today
by the Navy Department. Capt.
Eddy has served in the post
since July /, 1851.
Capt. Loughlin, now COM
handing Submarine Squadron 8,
which operates out of San Diego,
Calf, established a three-year
academy scoring record in
basketball that stood for Is
years. In the seasons of 1928
he totaled 696 for mark that
survived until Bill Wilson
chalked up 827 points in an
Academy career that ended in
1851.
Capt Loughlin. earned three
letters in tennis and captained
his team.
He assumed command of
Squadron 3 two years ago after a
stretch as commanding officer of
the Naval Academy Naval Sta
ton.
During the war as commander
of the submarines STA and
Queenfish he earned two Navy
Crosses for heroism. On one pa
troll his craft sank $4,000 tons Of
enemy shipping, including a
1,300-ton Japanese destroyer. On
another patrol the Queenfish
accounted for $1,000 tons of
shipping.
Capt. Lougnlin also won the
Silver Star and Bronze Star and
the Queenfish received the Presi-
Dental Citation.
Capt. Eddy, the Navy Depart
ment said, is entering the Naval
Academy hospital for temporary
duty and study" and if found
physically fit will resume his &C
tivities as athletic director until
the arrival of Capt. Loughlin.