| . f7~> (7 (LD > ©) - Y ocation(Netanad hee No. Boy 23F Folder 4 SONTOTOH WoOMd MaaNAAMAIN AE -53 100601 : September 1, 1954 CIA TWNOEIWN QUE I RG JAY De Honorable John W. Heselton House of Representatives Washington, Dd. C. Dear Mr. Meselton: Of necessity Mr. Cole has been out of the city a great deal recently. He has, therefore, asked me to reply to your inquiry of August 13 with regard to the letters from your constituents concerning the Spring N-bomb test series in the Pacific. Se too has received letters of a similar vein from worried citisens. ‘Although the Japanese fishing vessel incident was indeed unfortunate, Mr. Cole has endeavored to point out the following relevant facts in answering these inguiries and protests: (1) The Japanese fishing vessel, the “Lucky Dragon”, was more nearly 120 miles than 1200 miles from the last explosion. It was just outside the original safety zone, which wae a rectangular area 240 miles by 120 miles. The new safety area, which reaches out 450 miles, is believed to be more than adequate, according to the Atomic Energy Commission, to protect shipping in the area. (3) The Spring test series in the Pacific was completed early in June and no further tests are scheduled at this time. However, in the development of our weapons’ program it is vitally important that we test new designe in order that we may maintain our lead in silitary strength. We, as a people, must keep in mind that we are engaged in a titanic struggle with world communise and thet, to date, our strongest protection against Communist aggression has been our military progres, particularly our atomic weapon atockpile. It is essential for our national welfare that we continue to pugh our research progran to develop new and improved weapons for we may rest sspured that the enemy is not idle. (3) The atomic program, as a whole, has the finest safety recoré of any industry in the country. The test program itself has a very. excellent safety record. When you realise that the atomic energy program has consumed $10 billion over a period of ten years and has OY f el Wigc \o