=31- When the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima a Co ahG Wa, ao t id Nag asaidi ant \ in August 1945, there 1 < were undoubtedly very few such bombs in existen ge—nhieh would be reason enough for considering each one precious regardless of cost. But their development and production up to that time amounted to some 2 billions of dollars, and that figure would have to be divided by the number made to give the cost of each. If, for example, there were 20 in existence, the unit cost would have to be reckoned at $100,000,000, That, indeed, is a staggering sum for one missile, being approximately equivalent to the cost of one iowa class battleship. It is quite possible that there were fewer than 20 at that time, and that the unit cost was proportionately higher. For these and other reasons, including the desirability for psychological effect of making certain. that the initial demonstration should be a complete success, one can understand why it was then conSidered necessary, as General Arnold feels it will remain necessary, to “run a large air operation for the sole purpose of delivering one or two atomic bombs "7 But it is of course clear that as our existing plant is used for the pro duction of more bombs--and it has already been revealed that over three-fourths of the 2 billion dollars went into capital investment for plants and facilities@o ~-the unit cost will decline. Professor Oppenheimer has estimated that even with existing techniques and facilities, that is, allowing for no improvements whatever dD. Ibid., p. 68. 20. According to the figures provided the Machiahon Committee by Major General Leslie R. Groves, the total capital investment spent and committed for piants and facilities as of June 30, 1945 was $1,595,000,000, up Total operating costs to the time the bombs were dropped in Auzust were $05,000,000. larger sum is broken down as follows: The ‘ Manufacturing facilities alone-----------$1, 22,000,000 Research 186,000,000 Housing for workers Workmen's compensation and medical care-— 162,500,000 1,, 500,000 Total—------——$1, 595 ,000, 00 One might question the inclusion of the last item as a part of "capital investment," but it is in any case an insignificant portion of the whole.