ATOMIC BOMB DEFENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 22 February 1949, Page 5

ATOMIC BOMB DEFENCE

(N.Z.P.A.—

Reuter *

America Meets Obstacles In Preparing Plan

GozxjrlQht)

Keceivea ruesctay, jli.io a.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. The United States Atomi'C Energy Commission was preparing detailed plans for the defence of America against atom bomb attack, said Mr. Carrol Wilson, manager of the commission, today. The coihmission was working in close co-opera-tion with the National Military Establishment. Mr. Wilson made the statement before the Joint Congressional Atomic Energy Committee. He said that part of the "plan was to place personnel trained in the use of geiger counters, which are used to detect radio-activity, at strategic points throughout the country. The Atomic Energy Commission was having trouble in finding a way to tell Americans how to protect themselves against atom bombs without letting the whole world know the methods, continued Mr. Wilson. It was difficult to determine how far to go in making the information public. He addea that the commission was collaborating with the armed forces on a booklet which would be published soon. Representative Melvin Prince (Democrat, Illinois) urged that a general report on the Bikini atom bomb tests be made public. He added: "The public ought to know something about the awf ulness of this bomb and not regard it as just another weapon. If the Russian people, as well as the American people, are given the full facts about the destructive potential of atom bombs I believe a long step will be taken towards making sure there will be no future war. Powerful military leaders monopolising atomic information can do more harm to our nation than any truth about the dangers of atomic destruction and radio-activity."