Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-08
Some Proposals for Speeding Up
The Atoms for Peace Program

termination to become q serious
competitor In building power
reactors.
The remainder Of the specifics
proposed are made necessary
either by the undeveloped state Of
the atomic art or by competition.
Those Of US who are not in
sympathy with the administra-
tons position feel that domestic
political considerations are behind
the administrations refusal to
agree that there is need for sub
stantially accelerating our reactor
development program with Gov
eminent funds.
Until recently. United States re-
actor designers and manufacturers
have generally supported the adj
ministration position. But the
facts Of this young technology are
that q successful program Of sell.
ing American reactors abroad de-
ponds upon advancing the art at
q cost that private industry can
not afford. Private industry Is
carrying all the development load
1t can presently afford in the light
Of the proftless prospects.
One reason the administration
has maintained its present posi-
ton. ! feel, is its fear Of damag.
ing the private enterprise systems
functioning in atomic energy. A
realistic appraisal of the problem
demands a retreat from this posi-
ton. Also. it is essential that
there be tangible recognition that
most Of the nations which would
purchase reactors cannot purchase
them unless they are given sub.
sides or at least generous long.
term credit.
In addition, there are steps I
feel the Atomic Energy Commits
sion should urge vigorously. Il
should gain the authority and dol.
lars to obtain research and de.
velopment assistance for manu-
facturers selling nuclear reactors
abroad. The Acc should offer to
lease or sell on an installment
basis the costly enriched uranium
which is the nuclear fuel embodied
in United States reactors. Our
Government could waive the rent
charges for enriched uranium be-
ing fabricated for or reprocessed
following use in United States ex.
ported reactors.
Loans Might Help
An essential of any aggressive
program could well be direct finan-
cial assistance or loans for projects
required for United States-spon-
sored reactor program. One Of
the most likely of such projects
would be a chemical reprocessing
plant in Western Europe to handle
the fuel elements from power re-
actors In the Euratom group.
A much more controversial but
nonetheless necessary step is some
guarantee by the United States
Government Of the performance
Of the fuel elements manufactured
by American concerns. In the pres
ent uniformed state Of the atomic
art, even the most competent
American fuel element manufac.
turer could not risk corporate SOL
vency and guarantee this critical
element Of reactor performance
and cost Of atomic power. Guar
antee or. at the least, partial guar.
antee is the answer If we are to
compete with the British, who are
willing to underwrite the perform.
ance Of their fuel elements.
A tremendously involved prob
lem is posed by the possibility Of
reactor accidents.
Naturalization for third parties
who are in effect innocent by
ISLANDERS" and their property. has
been furnished in the United
States by the Anderson Price Act.
Overseas the problem is obviously
more difficult. Nonetheless, one
possibility would be the agreement
Of the United States to agree to
indemnity. upon q matching basis
with the foreign country involved,
somewhat along the lines Of the
Anderson-Price legislation.
Cost Will Be High
These are examples Of the kind
of bold action that / feel must be
taken II this. country is to make
a vigorous bid for the interna-
tional reactor market. Many Of
the steps proposed-and they by
no means exhaust the possibilities
require action that will cost sig
able sums Of money or will fly
in the face of conservative theory.
But this seems to me the unde-
niable cost Of q vital role In maxi
ing atomic energy q reality.
Despite the dollar costs and con-
cessions involved. even in q time
Of budget tightness, they would
normally fall within the realm of
the politically possible. The prin-
cipal problem is whether too much
momentum and time have been
lost and whether the cooperation
between executive and legislative
in atomic energy matters has so
completely dissipated in the last
three years that the opportunity
to make great strides cannot be
regained.
If that is true. q real doubt is
cast upon our ability TO discharge
the responsibility for the world
leadership we so fervently believe
necessary for q better and more
peaceful world.