because of a lack of flexibility in its budget. However, he said that
with approval of the requests under consideration, he hoped that
requests for supplemental apprepriations could be avoided unless
it was decided that the nuclear rocket propulsion program was urgent.
Mr. Vance said that it seemed very important to him to assist the
Administration's efforts to balance the budget, especially since this
is the first year that it appeared possible. He said he believed a
balanced budget is so important to the economy of the country that
it would be desirable to consider additional fund requests very care-
fully even though the delay might mean that the Commission might
risk the need to request supplemental appropriations later. Mr. N.urray
said he believed the AEC program, and particularly the request for funds
for the thin weapons shell fabrication facility, is so important that the
Commission should not risk being unable to meet its respensibilities.
On the contrary, he said, he believed that after Operation REDWING, DOD
yequir ements fer weapons using these cemponents would be so great
that if previsien were not made at this time it might well delay meeting
these requirements by as much as two years. Mr. Murray added that
he believed a limit had been reached in high yield weapons and that
aggressive steps sheuld now be taken to redirect the weapons program
to production of small weapons.
After further discussion, the Commissioners agreed that
further consideration of this matter would be deferred until February
21,
At this point Mr. Libby left the meeting.
Mr. Murray referred to discussions ef the possibility of the
Department of Navy purchasing zirconium for Naval reactors rather
tian obtaining this material from AEC. He said he believed thatit
would be hazardous at this point in the development of sources of
zizconium to permit the Department of Navy to enter into a separate
purchase program for this material. Mr. Burrows said that purchase
of zirconium for the Navy was becoming an increasing drain on the
AEC budget since AEC was required to fund fer the purchase of
zirconium but was not repaid until reactor cores had been fabricated.
He said it had been suggested that the Department of Navy fund for this
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