Gace 31,- 1954) The Committee met in executive session at 1:40 pem. All members, the Secretaty, andUr. Tomei were present. | Dr. Rabi explained that it had been found desirable to postpone - Party the GAC! s party for the Commissioners andaenior AEC staff, Itwould: . Dates of Next Meeting be appropriate to hold it at the time of the next meeting. The dates. of the next meeting were fixed as May 27, 28, and29, 1954; and it was decided to hold the party on Friday evening, May 28, It was noted that Dr. Libby and the Secretary could not be present at the next meeting. . Research Matters Budget At 1:55 pam, Dr, T. H. Johnson and Dr. Smyth met with the Committee. Dr. Johnson first reported on the situation of the Research Division's budget. The January budget submission had requested $42 2 million for FY55; this had been cut by the House Appropriations Comittee to $38.9 million. language: The House Committee's report used the following | "The Committee does not intend to hamper any productive research project as research is one of the most important facets of the ~ atomic energy program. There are, however, always fringe items which” research scientists would like to investigate which have a comparativelyBeil slight possibility of producing useful results, This: is the type of project that should be eliminated in order to accomplish the budget objective." ; Although this year's budget is also $38.9 million, the actual present rate of expenditure corresponds to $40.8 million per year.. Hence the $38.9 million figure for PY55 would necessitate. a reduction of the

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