Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-20
Position Clarified

POSITION (I0THIe0
In the article that APP
peared in The Evening Star
on May IL under his byline,
Richard Fryklund, perhaps
inadvertently. conveyed q
false impression Of my posi-
ton in regard to atomic
bomb test fallout. My inter-
view with him was unfortu-
nately hasty, and it is pos
sible that I failed to express
myself clearly on this COM
plicated subject.
The headline states: Hear
ings End Holifield's Fears
About Fallout." My fears
about bomb test fallout are
not ended. Scientific testi-
mony before the subcommit-
tee is unanimous to the ef-
feet that global bomb test
fallout has not damaged
people somatically. Il do not
refer to local fallout such as
in the Marshall Islands case.)
On the other hand, there is
a sharp difference Of opinion
as to genetic effect. No evil
dence, based on laboratory
experiments, has been pre-
sented to our subcommittee
which would prove that de-
tectable mutations have yet
been caused by low-level ra-
diation of the amount in
volved in the bomb test addi-
ton Of radiation to the
worlds natural (non-man
made) background radiation.
The bomb test radiation ad-
dition is generally conceded
by the scientists to be an
average accumulative amount
equivalent to 7i10 Of a roent-
gen. Theoretical numbers
for increase Of leukemia,
cancer and anemia cases
have been given on the basis
of estimates. not on the basis
Of proven data. Therefore,
on the point of genetic dam
age, 1 cannot take q dog
matte position in the affirm
alive or negative.
In regard to the continue
ance Of bomb testing, the
quotation attributed to me
in Mr.. Fryklund's article is
not q verbatim quote, as he
left out the very important
word underground" I told
Mr.. Fryklund that the haz-
ard of continued bomb test
ing would have to be weighed
against the Nations need for
defense and that testing
could be resumed without
communicating the atmos-
phere, If 1t were conducted
underground.
Mr.. Fryklund's next state
ment, "Mr. Holifield believes
that all the necessary an
swers are now in on most
fallout problems" is in error.
I believe we have a great
deal more information than
we had two years ago. But.
I also believe that a great
deal more research in this
field is necessary. AS chair
man of the Subcommittee on
Radiation of the Joint
Committee on Atomic En-
ergy, I am reporting a bill
which raises by one-third
the administrations request
for funds to construct facili-
ties for radiation testing on
animals.
In the second paragraph.
under the Subhead Zone
Question Answered" Mr..
Fryklund reports, "One vast
area of knowledge can now
be said to be complete for
all practical purposes. Sci
entists know how the radio
active material gets from
the exploded bomb to human
beings and In what quanti-
ties. My comment on this is,
we do know how the radio
active material gets from the
exploded bomb to human
beings" but / am sure we
do not know gin what guam
titles" This latter is the es-
sential point as yet unre-
solved.
Chef Holifield,
Chairman, Special Subcom-
mittee on Radiation of
the Joint Committee on
Atomic Energy.
Editors note: We regret
any misunderstanding as be-
tween Mr.. Holifleld and Star
Reporter Richard Fryklund.
in whose accurate reporting
we have complete confidence.
We are, however, glad to pre-
sent Mr.. Holifield's statement
). Of his views)