-Similarly, a change in the charges for utilities at residential quarters was madein order to conform with Bureau of the Budget Circular A-45 requirement for comparability with local domestic rates for similar services. The study, research, and investigation that was necessary to comply with the intent as applied to the situation at Los Alamos took approximately six months. Revised rates for utilities and revised monthly charges for utilities, where the consumption was not metered, were announced on May 1, 1953, and were to be effective August 1, 1953. , Report of the Scurry Panel -- Another of the objectives of the Atomic Energy Com- mission has been the disposal of its communities to the residents if and when feasible. To further that end, the Commissioners appointed a "Panel on Community Operations", That committee was asked to express its opinion and make recommendations on each of three questions: What course of action should the AEC follow in the Oak Ridge, Richland, and Los Alamos communities so that they will contribute most effectively to the successful conduct of the atomic energy program? What steps should the AEC take to (a) grant greater local autonomy and responsibility to the residents of these communities, and (b) reduce the cost to Federal Government for the maintenance and operation of the communities? Recognizing security requirements and limitations on the possibility of the communities becoming self-supporting, what are the contractual, corporate, and other means by which the AEC may carry out Panel recommendations? The report of the Panel, contrary to what it recommended at Oak Ridge and Richland, was that incorporation and home ownership are not possible in the foreseeable future at Los Alamos, but they should be considered as ultimate goals. As a general conclusion, the Panel stated that the town of Los Alamos was being competently and effectively operated, and that the prevailing policies and programs of the AEC Management were entirely acceptable until factors which made the ultimate goals unfeasible should change. - The report listed several obstacles to incorporation or private property ownership at this time and possibly in the future. These included the following: The fiscal requirements of Los Alamos, because of its terrain and location are higher than in ordinary communities. Self-support of municipal and utility services cannot be contemplated from usual sources, such as the establishment of new industries. A sizable Federal subsidy would be necessary if the town were incorporated, and real self-government could not be achieved under such circumstances. Few residents appear to favor more self-government if the assumption of fiscal responsibility is to be the price. Residents generally are satisfied with the present arrangements, and have been unable to visualize a practical system of of full self-government. : Aled The nature of the real estate at Los Alamos is an obstacle to incorporation or property disposal. Less than one-third of the present dwelling units are single-family units. Multi-family units presumably would be bought by investors who would face little competition because of the difficulties of expanding the MaRS aan [0° 95