It is clear from a letter dated S September from Chairman Seaborg to
Mr. McGeorse Bundy that the alternative approaches to resuming testing
addressed and discussed by the AEC General Manager came out of Seaborg's

ff

discussions with the President and Secretary McNamara a few days previous.

Clearly, McNamara was asking for a quick response to match the Russians and
he had said specifically what could the AEC do to provide 3 shots on a
"two-weeks, four-weeks, six-weeks schedule'’. Secondly, because these shots
might not be noted other than by the fact that we would announce them, it

was further requested that a schedule for a high enough yield shot that would
Clearly be felt and noted off-site and by foreign observers be detailed also.

In his response to Bundy,Seaborg reiterates the disadvantages of the alternative
programs for three quick’ shots and for the soonest possible high yield shot
and even adds a couple other disadvantages. One other disadvantage that he
notes is “the Soviets have tried hard to picture us to the world as having
made continuous preparations for testing and to be ready to start at the very
first opportunity. They surely would take advantage,of any announcement by

us of an almost immediate test detonation to furtherjline."

In brief,

Seaborg concludes by recommending to Bundy that if a test program is to be
undertaken, it be the short range program that has been set forth and discussed

and prepared for since July.

It is noted further that a decision must be

made on this very day, September Sth, to meet a first detonation schedule
of September 14th.
.
5 September:

as expected, there was a great deal of work this day with several

railers for the J Technical Groups being prepared for shipmo“t to the NTIS within a
ay or two.

Charles Browne has okayed the configuration for the sampling set up for

ae first shot.

Octle has informed J-6 that Sandia will do some sort of seismic

sesurements and wants the first shot on the Lhth with the 625 foot hole shot to done
3 soon as possible, but about 1 October.

(This was later done at the end of October)

vle also directed that the 6000 foot hole be started as soon aspossible (not sure what
ifs means).

Several items between Newman and Blossom at the NTS on this day,

in

wrticular Blossom got Reeco on extended timg, since “the AEC ain't cot the work out

rere."
Fani~

Also Blossom was directed to go shead on hole U3AE at 800 feet (later used
a8

N

Select target paragraph3