Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-05


to hurry along development OF fu-
sion power.
The report said that both the
executive department and Con-
gress should realize that the era
of atomic Capitalization in the
Government in general and the
commission in particular ended
with the decision to press forward
with peaceful uses"
However, the report several times
qualified its insistence on de-
Capitalization and freer flow Of in
formation with the admission that
these must be accomplished with
in the limitations Of national Sc
curity considerations"
While the committee forecast
great progress in the development
of nuclear power, it treasured the
coal and gas industries that the
continual expansion of the economy,
coupled with very gradual de-
.yelopment Of atomic power, would
cushion the impact. 1t did, how
eyer, predict that, by 1880. the Ma
ton would be generating more cleo
tricity by atomic energy than it
now produces by conventional
methods. The coal industry re-
piled that these conclusions would
not hold water. An executive OF
the National Coal Association said
that, ''coal is so essential to the
fuel economy of the Nation" that
the Government should not sub
sidize any other energy source
beyond basic research stages.
Bigger Form SurpIuses?
The crop surplus problem threat
ems to be further compounded If
the reports blueprint for applying,
the atom to agriculture is followed
closely. 1t forecast new and i'm
proved methods Of plant breeding,
widely used. which would make
bumper yields a matter of course.
Crop volume also would be in
creased by disease-free and pest
free plants. And atomic radia-
ton can give stored crops more
complete protection against dete-
rioration. In this connection also,
atomic techniques will decrease
the perishability of preserved foods.
But the surplus is today's prob
lem. 1t may not be one tomorrow.
The report noted that there still
are many hungry peoples in the
world who can benefit from the
agricultural atom
II atomic energy is fully utilized
in the field of medicine and public
health. it appears entirely possible
that there will be enough people
around In the future to eat all those
bumper crops which can be made
possible by bringing the atom to
the farm.
Medical Uses
The panel also suggested that
the Government provide all med
ical schools with adequate facili-
ties for training in atomic medi-
cine: build new research centers.
all with necessary equipment, in
Guiding reactors: design low-cost
atomic medical equipment. and
start selling low-price nuclear COM
pounds used in research and treat
ment.
The report noted that new
medical therapy reactor Is being
built for treating brain cancer. and
said that large cobalt-60 thera-
peutic devices" already are re-
placing the more expensive and
dangerous radium formerly used.
The Acc. Maritime Administra-
ton and private interests were
urged ~ explore the economic FEAST
bility o. nuclear- powered ships after
1860, Atomic autos were held i'm
possible in the foreseeable future.
and atomic locomotives, the panel
said. would not be economical at
present. Atomic propelled COM
mercial airliners should await fur
Their military development. the
report suggested.
Atomic uses for industrial proc
esSes were seen as possessing a
promising future, especially as a
new form of energy for the chemi-
cal industry. The panel noted that.
'at the present time. only the
commission has the facilities re-
quired to conduct the metallurgical
research essential to the develop
ment of high-temperature reactors"
Atomic power may be the most
tangible symbol of Americas will
to peace through the peaceful
atom"
Taking this cue from the panels
report. Uncle Sans propaganda
dispenser, the Voice of America. be-
gan broadcasts in al languages,
telling the world how the atom
could help all peoples lead health
Ter. happier and more productive
lives"
1.-The prestige of the United
States is at stake" the report had
said. and the Voice was taking the
warning at face value.