members of the Security Council of the United Nations on a reciprocal basis, subject to the establishment of a system for the international inspection of munitions production.

S. 1463, introduced by Senator Johnson of Colorado on October 3, a bill

coming in the War Department, provided for a part-time

commission of nine members, with broad controls over the domestic development of atomic energy. Military officials were permitted to serve as members of the Commission or as the full-time administrator or deputy administrator.

S. 1557, introduced on November 6 by Senator Ball, provided for the establishment of a part-time commission of nine members, four of whom would be Cabinet members. Broad authority and general controls similar to those conferred on the managerial boards by S. 1463 and S. 1359 were vested in the Commission.

INTERNATIONAL MEASURES

On October 29, Senator O'Mahoney introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 38, calling for a universal international agreement to outlaw the atomic bomb. Senator McKellar, on November 8, introduced Senate Resolution 186, which took cognizance of the threat of the atomic bomb and requested that the President enter into international negotiations to outlaw the bomb and to strengthen the United Nations organization. S. 1359, discussed above, contained special provisions to meet the international problem.

SPECIAL STUDIES

On September 6, Senator Vandenberg introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 to establish a joint congressional committee to make a full and complete study of the development, control, and use of atomic energy. This measure passed the Senate but was not acted upon in the House. Senate Joint Resolution 93, introduced September 12, by Senator Thomas of Utah, provided for a commission consisting of Members of Congress, public members, and a Supreme Court Justice. This Commission was to be charged with the duty of formulating immediate policies on atomic energy and recommending legislation to the Congress. Senate Resolution 179, introduced on October 29, by Senator McMahon, proposed the establishment of a Senate Special Committee on Atomic Energy to—

make a full, complete, and continuing study and investigation with respect to problems relating to the development, use, and control of atomic energy.

The committee was to report on bills and resolutions relating to atomic energy referred to it from the Senate and to make recommendations as to legislation.

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE, OCTOBER 3, 1945

On October 3, 1945, the President sent a message to the Congress stressing the necessity of legislation. This message emphasized the need for a national policy for the control of atomic energy to assure its use for peaceful ends and for the safety of the Nation.

The President outlined provisions to be included in the legislation as follows:

1. An atomic energy commission whose members should be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. 2. Control by the Commission over all atomic energy installations, with authority to acquire source materials, i. e., uranium ores, and other property needed in the development of atomic energy.

3. Encouragement by the Commission of research, development, and exploitation in the field of atomic energy, with the power to license property and facilities for these purposes.

4. A prohibition on the export or import of source materials except under the direction of the Commission.

5. Security regulations and penalties for their violation to be prescribed by the Commission.

The President also advocated international agreements renouncing the use of the atomic bomb but encouraging the development of atomic energy for peacetime purposes. The basic scientific knowledge on atomic energy, the message said, is already widely disseminated. An armament race could end only in disaster. Discussions with Great Britain and Canada were proposed by the President as a forerunner to adequate international control under the auspices of the United Nations.

CREATION OF SPECIAL SENATE COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY

On October 29, 1945, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 179, establishing the Special Committee on Atomic Energy. The text of the resolution is as follows:

Resolved, That a special committee on atomic energy, to be composed of eleven Members of the Senate appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, of whom one shall be designated as chairman by the President pro tempore, is authorized and directed to make a full, complete, and continuing study and investigation with respect to problems relating to the development, use, and control of atomic energy. All bills and resolutions introduced in the Senate, and all bills and resolutions from the House of Representatives, proposing legislation relating to the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be referred to the special committee. The special committee is authorized to report to the Senate at the earliest practicable date by bill or otherwise with recommendations upon any matters covered by this resolution. The existence of this committee shall terminate at the end of the Seventy-ninth Congress.

For the purposes of this resolution the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, is authorized to hold such hearings, to sit and act at such times and places during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate in the Seventy-ninth Congress, to employ such experts, and such clerical, stenographic, and other assistants, to require by subpena or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such correspondence, books, papers, and documents, to administer such oaths, to take such testimony, and to make such expenditures, as it deems advisable. The cost of stenographic services to report such hearings shall not be in excess of 25 cents per hundred words. The expenses of the committee, which shall not exceed $25,000, shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman.

GENERAL HEARINGS

At its first meeting the committee determined to begin its work, not with a consideration of specific legislation but with public hearings of a general nature, in which the scientific background and the essential technical facts of atomic energy might be made known to the committee and to the public.

In particular, the committee wanted information which would help to answer these questions:

1. What had been the real effects of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? What were the destructive potentialities of atomic bombs, at present and in the foreseeable future?

2. How difficult had it been to make the atomic bomb? easy would it be for other countries to make it?

How

3. What defense could be devised against the atomic bomb? 4. What secrets did this country hold in connection with the production of atomic bombs? Could these secrets be kept, and if so, how long?

5. What peacetime benefits would come from atomic energy?

6. How was the Manhattan district project run? How had it originated? Who had contributed to it? How could it best be operated in the future?

To answer these questions the committee called a large number of witnesses. Since most of the questions were of technical nature, many of the witnesses were scientists who had worked on the atomic bomb. Whenever possible, witnesses were heard in public sessions; but where testimony subject to security considerations was required, it was given in executive session. The most painstaking precautions were taken to assure the maintenance of secrecy with respect to testimony given in executive sessions.

In addition to the scientists, military officials, industrialists, and others who had been closely connected with the Manhattan district project were heard. The complete list of witnesses is as follows:

Witnesses appearing before the committee, Nov. 27–Dec. 20, 1945