R. E. Hollingsworth -2- since 157 people are involved this would amount to about $16,000. He further recommends that such a payment be clearly identified as an "inconvenience payment” and disassociated completely from any recompense by virtue of these people being subjected to fallout radiation. Dr. Conard outlined this problem before the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine at its 134th meeting in May 1970, and the ACBM in its report of that meeting to the Chairman, AEC, made the following statement: "At its executive session, the ACBM recommended that consideration be given to the development of some mechanism for payment to the Utirik population as research subjects in a way to assure their continued cooperation with the investigation of the Marshallese people accidentally ex- posed to radioactive fallout in 1954. It is clear that the mechanism for payment would have to avoid the conno- tation that this was in compensation for radiation ex- posure, in view of the low dose of radiation received by the Utirik population." Because of the importance of continuing this study of the biological effects of radiation on one of the few groups of populations available for this purpose, I strongly urge approval of Dr. Conard's recommendation for an “inconvenience payment" to be funded from the budget of the Division of Biology and Medicine. However, it is recognized that there may be a certain amount of sensitivity related to such action and I am, therefore, enclosing a draft of & proposed letter to the Department of Interior to obtain their agreement to this approach. Informal discussions with representatives of the Trust Territory indicate no serious objection to the proposal. Dr. Conard and his team plan a revisit to the Marshall Islands starting approximately October 20, 1970, for continuation of the medical examination program, and I am hopeful we can provide him with a favorable reaction to his proposal prior to his departure. DOE aRcHives 2