Mr, Strauss spoke at some length on the Oppenheimer case; referring
particularly to the Commission's difficulties in maintaining its polisy
of no comment and to reactions to the Commission's decision, as mani-
fested in letters and ih the press,
the feeling at LosAlamos.
He expressed understanding for
The fact that Dr. Oppenheimer's stand on
the thermonuclear questicn had had no weight in the Commission's
decision probably helped in regard to the Los Alamos reaction,
He mentioned that he was delivering a Presidential citation to
the Labératory on its extraordinary accomplishments,
“Dr, Rabi asked what would be the aftermath of the Commission's
After
decision on the Oppenheimer case. Since associations had played such
math of
the
@ prominent role in the case, there was considerable apprehension that
Oppenheimer
Case
a large drive overemphasizing associations as derogatory information
would be made by security offices.
Mr. Strauss assured the Committee
that this apprehension was unfounded.
Several Committee members
remarked on the very grave morale problem in the Commission's laboratories which resulted from the case.
Dr. von Neumann said that from
a practical point of view this problem made it very important for the
AEC to make clear its criteria of associations, particularly in view
of the opinions recorded by Mr. Zuckert and Mr. Murray.
Mr. Strauss
indicated that the Commission would bring out in September a statement
clarifying the security regulations.
GAC
Opinions
Attention was next turned to the U-233 question.
Dr, Rabi asked
on U~233 the individual members in turn to express their views for the benefit