Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-27
Public Panel Picked
To Speed Peaceful
Use Of Atom Power
by The Assesio,.d Pres.

Senator Anderson. Democrat.
Of New Mexico, chairman Of the
Senate-House Atomic Energy
Committee, yesterday established
q civilian advisory panel to help
the committee speed the proper
development Of peaceful uses OF
atomic energy"
He named Robert Mckinney.
editor and publisher Of the Santa
Fe New Mexican, as chairman
Of the eight-member group.
made UP largely Of business men
and scientists.
The panel, was charged with
exploring every aspect OF the
"vast new public domain" Gre
and recommending committee
action to expedite its develop
ment.
Foresees Revolution
Senator Anderson told a news
conference the development Of
nuclear power for peacetime use
could bring a worldwide revolu-
ton in industry, transportation,
employment, medicine and the
training of scientists.
1.-THE domain is too big-too
important-to be left to the
mercy of chance. speculation
and limitless personal gain." he
said.
"It must be watched and
nurtured, so that the domain
is developed in the public inter-
est and developed by private en-
terprise with all the vigor, in
genuity and daring with which
. Americans have always won
each new frontier.
Properly guided, we can ex-
pect a new renaissance.
Against this background, the
Senator said, the new panel is
charged with fully exploring the
field and telling us what to
do about It,"
1t will draw on committee ex-
perts to help collect information
but panel members probably will
not do extensive travelling them
selves.
Mckinney Coming Here
Mr.. Mckinney, former assist
ant Secretary of the Interior,
will make his headquarters, in
] Washington. He attended the
news conference, but did not
comment on his plans. Under
questioning, Senator Anderson
I said he and some other commit
tee members believe the Atomic
Energy Commission is proceeding
too slowly with licensing private
industry to enter the nuclear
! field.
But both he and Representa-
tive Cole, Republican. of New
York, said they believe the
United States still is ahead in the
world race to harness nuclear
power. and Senator Anderson
said generally speaking he did
not believe peacetime power is
being developed too slowly.
He emphasized the operations
Of the panel will be the friend
lest. sort of joint venture" with
the Acc and its work will not
conflict with similar studies by
the commission and the congress
sional committee. ~
Strauss Pledges Cooperation
Full cooperation of the Acc
with the new panel was promised
by Chairman Lewis L. Strauss,
who called 1t logical sequence
to the naming last year of spe-
cial panel on military aspects of
atomic energy.
Mr.. Strauss said that group.
headed by retired Gen. Albert c.
Wedemeyer, served a very USE
full function" and he predicted
the work of the new panel
SHOULD be no less useful"
He commented also that the
panels appointment will surely
be construed abroad as further
evidence Of support for President
Eisenhower's atoms for peace
plan"
:, Senator Anderson said the
Joint committee unanimously
agreed to establish the panel and
to charge it with: Cd Making a
broad survey of the impact of
peacetime atomic power on eco
nomic and social life, at home
and abroad; co Studying the
organization and activities Of the
Acc in peacetime power. and
go recommending Legislative
and policy actions needed to
speed the proper development of
peaceful uses of atomic energy
under both Government and pri-
vate auspices"
Report Next January
The panel will make q pre-
liminary report by next Janu-
airy 81, Senator Anderson said,
but its work probably will con-
tinue after that. The Senator
added the project may cost $780,
900, to be paid from committee
funds.
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