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Cory No. _f/.0F Goris...
HEADQUARTERS
JOINT TASK FORCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
7 November 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE CHAIRMAN,
SUBJECT
Release of Information concerning Tests
:
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
(Through the Military Liaison Committee)
In your memorandum to the President,
subject:
Test of
Atomic Weapons*, now awaiting the concurrence of the Secretary of State, you state that the Joint Congressional Committee of Atomic Energy will be advised of the test program
upon its approvel by the President.
Presumably the Atomic
Energy Commission will accomplish this.
It seems important to me that this be done as soon as
practicable after the President has given his approval and
before the proposed press release is made, at least insofar
as the Committee Chairman is concerned.
We need not only Congressional support in the holding
of the tests but will need the strong backing of such gentle
men as Senator Hickenlooper in holding to the line of prohibiting attendance at the tests of foreign observers, membe
of the press and other unofficial observers.
The plan as
approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and concurred in by
the Atomic Energy Commission 1s based on the concept that on
a few official observers would be present and members of the
press would not be authorized to attend.
As a result only a
limited number of accomodations over and above the requirements of the Joint Task Force including the scientific perSonnel are being provided and no communication facilities
whatever for use by the press will be available.
It would
be most embarrassing to me as the Task Force Commander, and
*
This memorandum is on file in the Division of Military
Application.