Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-30
Atomic Arsenal
Growing Fast,
Congress Told
Domestic Uranium
Production Record
Reported by Acc

The Nations atomic arsenal is
growing rapidly in total num-
bers," the Government said to-
day, and high-level action has
been taken to assure continued
United States superiority in the
A-bomb and H-bomb field.
The Atomic Energy Commits
sion also told Congress in its
semiannual report that there
had been record production of
uranium from domestic sources
IN the last six months and a
sharp rise" in the production
of fashionable materials at lower
unit costs.
Acc reported the start of OPP
Grafton of "a number of compo-
nents" of it's big plant at Savan-
nah River, s. c.. where materials
for either A-bombs or H-bombs
can be made.
Industrial Plants Closer.
And it reported continued
progress toward development of
reactors for industrial nuclear
power, which it said may be pro-
duced economically in the FORE
seeable future, and "for naval
and aircraft propulsion and
other military requirements"
The commission reported the
near completion of the atomic
power plant to drive the Nautilus,
the Nays first nuclear-powered
submarine whose hull has been
completed. A second atomic
sub is under construction and
plans for early building of two
more were announced yestel-
day by the Navy.
Acc said it's rapidly growing
stock pile of atomic weapons
reflects "a trend of increased
variety and versatility" which, it
continued, has extended the
military usefulness of the fission-
able materials available. =
"Paralleling fission weapon de-
velopment since 1885," the COM
mission report said. there has
been in progress a concerted
development effort on thermo-
nuclear weapons hydrogen
bombs).
I'm view Of important de-
velopment programs. a national
policy decision was made to take
every advantage Of such progress
to assure that the United States
maintains its superiority.
1.-THE President directed the
commission to continue to pro-
duce atomic weapons during 1854
consistent with this decision"
Plan for Atomic Fuel.
Acc said last springs tests in
the Pacific. which stirred an in
ternational controversy, were
successful in development of
thermonuclear weapons" and it
said it has found no evidence
of any permanent harm to per-
sons in the area who suffered
burns from radioactivity.
The commission said it has
plans for the construction of a
second and much more powerful
breeder" reactor for producing
atomic fuel and, at the same
time, turning out heat capable
of use in power generation. One
such experimental reactor is in
operation.
Other highlights from the re-
port to Congress:
l. Acc said it has developed
a remote coAtrol system for de-
tecting rapidly radioactivity from
continental atomic tests such as
those conducted periodically in
Nevada. The system automati-
cally sends out radio, broadcasts
when triggered by radioactive
particles, alerting control points
miles away.
2. In the quest for practical
atomic engine for aircraft, an
atomic furnace" has been sus-
pended from four 324-foot tow.
ers in order to test shielding re-
quirements for the crew and
equipment of such plane.
8. The Pacific tests OF las.
spring deposited widely over the
United States small amounts of
radioactive debris, and minute
quantities could be detected in
some humans in this country.
but the amounts were far less
than required to produce detect
able injury.
4 Medical observations do not
indicate any permanent harm to
81 servicemen in the test task
(See ATOMIC, Page A-3.)