w

dctonated and what its yield was, this would be feasible,

However, if

the shot was located on a moving platform, it would not be possible
to obtain the scientific data required for further experimentation or

development,

In reply to the suggestion that the shots might be fired

outside of the-Marshall Island group, Dr. Graves replied that this would
necessitate the construction of an additional base and would entail con-~

siderable additional expenditures. ,

Mr. Smyth summarized the discussion by stating that if the Commission were going to carry out its test program, it appeared that it

was necessary to go to Bikini,

Therefore, the question before the

oe,
on
fe

Commission was: Can we afford the contemplated test program?
The Commission must carefully evaluate the AEC program with the
purpose of postponing expenditures of less immediate importance,

A discussion of the budgetary problems created by the use of
Bikini followed. During this discussion Mr. Mc Carthy entered the
mecting. He was asked about the effect of the construction rider,

providing that line items must have been in the budget under con-

sideration by Congress before they can be constructed. General Fields
stated that he did not feel the contemplated construction could be regarded as permanent construction. Mr, McCarthy stated that, for previous test operations, he had budgeted and classified the shot structures
and temporary camps as operational but that the construction of an
airstrip would usually be regarded as permanent construction. However, if the air strip would be destroyed or greatly damaged by the
shot or shots, the costs of constructing it might properly be regarded
as an operating expense, Mr. Dean then asked whether the Commission
could get the Army Engineers or the Navy CB's to construction the

rs)

airstrip, General Fields replied that if this were done we would have
to ask the Department of Defense sufficiently in advance of the tests for
them to set this item in their budget, Mr. McCarthy emphasized that
no permanentfacilities could be built on Bikini during Fiscal Year

=e

1953 because of the limitations of the construction rider. Mr. Boyer
then suggested that it would probably be necessary to postpone conStruction of permanent facilities at Bikini until Fiscal Year 1954.

Mr. Dean then asked where the additional funds for the expenditures
to be made in Fiscal Year 1953 would come from. Mr. Boyer suggested
that funds from the expansion budget might be borrowed. Mr. Dean
observed that if the Commission were to carry out this test it might be

necessary to ask for a Fiscal Year 1953 Supplemental when the new Con&ess convenes.

US DOE ARCHIVES

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