U.S. Atom Scientists Object to Effect Of Spy Inquiry

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1948, Page 5

U.S. Atom Scientists Object to Effect Of Spy Inquiry

(Rec. 10.45) NEW YORK, Sept. 7 Eight of the scientists who participated in the development of the atomic energy programme telegraphed to President Truman to-day, urging him, to investigate a situation causea oy “smear’ ’tactics of the Un-American Activities Committee of the House of Representatives. The scientists include Karl Compton, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Professor Harold Urey, of the University of Chicago. Their telegram said: “Many good men are leaving the Government service and the combined full-time personnel of highly capable scientists and engineers in various Government laboratories is on the verge of reaching a dangerously low level. In our opinion, a substantial portion of the blame can be placed on an atmosphere which is being created by actions and smearing methods of the House of Represtative Committee. We do not deny the possible need for investigations such as those which are being carried out by the Un-American Activities Committee, but the fact remains that, despite its best intentions, the Committee is creating an atmosphere that makes men shun Government work, thereby threatening us all. A similar telegram has been sent to Mr T. Dewey, Governor of New York, who is the Republican Party candidate for the Presidency.