national agency to develop the peaceful uses of atomic energy before the hottest day of summer. I hope that many of you will share in the work of this agency.

In the future, when we have an international atomic energy agency, I hope that all countries with peaceful atomic know-how, including the Soviet Union, will invite citizens of all other nations to participate in their training programs on an exchange basis. The international agency may have training programs of its own; and thus it can assist materially in arranging for spreading atomic know-how everywhere. I congratulate the Atomic Energy Commission for its broad vision in establishing this school. I congratulate the staff of the school for the careful and skillful arrangements which, I am convinced, will make the courses a success. And I congratulate you, the students from foreign lands, who will go back to your countries as pioneers in this great work. I think it is the justifiable hope of the world that as peaceful uses of atomic energy become universal and the power systems of the world become more and more dependent upon it, its destructive use in all-out war may become less likely. In this sense the development of nuclear power will have significance far beyond the economic sphere. In this sense your efforts as pioneers in your countries in this field may well qualify you for the reward promised to "peacemakers." You will be in that enviable position of making the world we live in better, more secure, and healthier. This represents real hope. By exchanging know-how and ideas all men benefit.

By this school and by joint participation we have made a real move toward international cooperation in harnessing the atom for peace. The message of hope which the President of the United States gave to the United Nations a little over a year ago has become today a reality.

Remarks by Dr. W. Kenneth Davis, Director, Division of Reactor Development, United States Atomic Energy Commission, delivered at University of Chicago dinner for first class of students at the new School of Nuclear Science and Engineering Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Ill., March 13, 1955

Not far from here, on December 2, 1942, a little more than 12 years ago, a group of scientists and engineers witnessed the first selfsustaining chain reaction utilizing the fission of uranium. Beneath the west stands of Stagg Field, the no longer used football stadium of the University of Chicago, in a squash rackets court a polyglot group ushered in the Atomic Era. A glance at the native countries of the participants at that historic event is revealing.

Shortly after 10 a. m. the late Enrico Fermi, an Italian, ordered the emergency control rod pulled. Dr. W. Zinn, present here this evening, a Canadian by birth, pulled out the rod. Then George Weil, an American, started withdrawing the regulating rod. Associated with Dr. Fermi in this experiment were the Hungarians Szilard and Wigner, and the Canadians, Christy, Froman and Slotin. The Russian Gregory Breit and the German James Frank who, although not present at that moment, also contributed much to the success of

the venture together with a score of others both from this country and abroad.

Behind this achievement there was even a greater variety of National backgrounds-Hahn and Strassman of Germany with their discovery of fission-Neils Bohr of Denmark with his work on the structure of the atom-Einstein of Germany-Cockcroft of England-the Curies of France and Poland-even back to Democritus in Greece. These antecedents were constricted like a venturi tube to that culmination here in Chicago 12 years ago. Now today, here again in Chicago, the venturi is broadening and the efforts and accomplishments of those disciples of the science of atomic energy are once again becoming the heritage and knowledge of all the world.

In this new school, you who represent 20 nations-a cross section of the free world-will work side by side, to acquire those skills and that knowledge which were sired by such an international parentage.

Nature has never been a respecter of Nationalities or creeds. The truths of Nature are universal and whether one prays to Christ, Allah, Lao-tse, or Jehovah, whether one wears a Fez or a sombrero, Nature will make her laws known to those that ask. Although Nature is impartial, and her truths are available to any who inquire, the utilization of the truths revealed depend upon men and nations. The knife is both a healer and a killer, fire warms and destroys, and atomic energy can enrich or obliterate civilization. We here in the United States are convinced that not only can it enrich but that it must be used for the common good. It is to this end that we believe that the ways of the atom must be known to all nations. It is in this spirit that this new international reactor school has been established.

In a larger sense this school is an opportunity for Truth-or Science, which to me are synonymous, to demonstrate its universality and saving grace. At this school where men of many nations, representing many beliefs, can join with common purpose to work for a peaceful and abundant life we can demonstrate that the wellsprings of nature are deep and sufficient to nourish us all. From this cornucopia can emerge the knowledge and the skills that will demonstrate the fallibility of the Malthusians and confound those who claim that only by revolution and blood can man as a whole reap the benefit of nature and his labor.

Those with a cynical turn of mind will question the beliefs here expressed. Let me therefore hasten to admit that we in the United States expect to gain abundantly and materially from this venture. As one hand washes itself when it washes the other so shall higher living standards and sounder economy in other countries in turn benefit the United States. Speaking for the moment solely on atomic energy, we may see your countries utilizing atomic energy to light homes and turn machines before such use is prevalent here in the United States. Many of your countries are not blessed with an abundance of cheap fossil fuel or hydro power and therefore your incentive for economic nuclear power is greater and the goal is nearer. Then there are those who will say that if the United States is so anxious to help the economic development of other countries by providing them with atomic energy skills and know-how why not just give them a reactor and be done with it. The answer to this question is straightforward and simple. Reactors can be dangerous.

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People must first be trained in their ways, they must respect and understand their idiosyncrasies and peculiarities and they must know how to use them constructively; not just one or two people but a host trained in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Medicine and a score of other disciplines. Thus this school is an opportunity for you to learn these arts and techniques and then take them home so others may learn.

I may have sounded somewhat pontifical with these remarks and I know I've said nothing which will be long remembered. For any seeming arrogance I apologize but I do not apologize for the beliefs I've expressed. They are earnest beliefs and it is my hope that you share them.

Press release by United States Atomic Energy Commission, "United States to Build Atomic Reactor for World Conference at Geneva," March 23, 1955

Lewis L. Strauss, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, announced today that the United States will build an operating research reactor at Geneva, Switzerland, for demonstration at the United Nations International Conference on August 8-20, 1955.

The project, expected to be a major exhibit feature of the Conference, has been made possible through the cooperation of the Government of Switzerland and the Secretary General of the United Nations. "We are confident that the operation of a large research reactor at Geneva during the Conference will add immeasurably to the interest and usefulness of this important meeting," Mr. Strauss said. "This instrument will use the type of fuel that other nations can draw from the 100 kilograms of Uranium-235 the United States has made available for research reactors in other countries as a major step in President Eisenhower's atoms-for-peace program."

The exhibit would enable visiting scientists and technicians to observe a reactor which provides excellent facilities for a variety of cross-section measurements, experiments with neutrons and gamma rays, including shielding studies and production of radioisotopes.

Qualified scientists and technicians will be allowed to operate the machine, using the controls to start, maintain and stop a nuclear chain reaction within the reactor. During these experiments, known as criticality tests, the familiar blue glow of the irradiated fuel elements will be visible in the water.

The reactor will be of the "swimming pool" type successfully operated at the AEC's Oak Ridge National Laboratory for several years. Research reactors of this type are now being constructed at the Pennsylvania State and Michigan Universities. The name comes from the fact that the reactor is immersed in a pool of water which affords an effective safety shield against radiation.

The project for the Geneva Conference will be carried out by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is operated for the AEC by the Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Company, and will be under the general supervision of Dr. George L. Weil, Technical Director of the U. S. participation in the Geneva Conference.

The fuel will be fuel grade uranium enriched in isotope 235 to about 20 percent. About 5 kilograms of U-235 will be required.

The reactor will be tested at Oak Ridge and then dismantled and shipped to Geneva. The reactor and its fuel would be at all times under the control and custody of the AEC.

It will be housed in a temporary prefabricated metal building designed especially to enable the delegates and visitors at Geneva to see the reactor in operation.

The "swimming pool" feature will be a tank 10 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, in which the entire reactor is immersed. Specially purified water is used for the shielding. Health and safety control will be built into the reactor.

A small platform will be built on top of the reactor, from which a lecturer can direct demonstrations and explain the operation of the machine. The housing structure will be designed to accommodate a constant flow of visitors observing the operation of the reactor.

The swimming pool reactor, which is estimated to cost about $350,000, will be part of the technical exhibit being planned by the U. S. at Geneva.

Note to desks: Four pictures of the present Swimming Pool Reactor at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are available at 30 East 42nd Street (Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation).

Press release by Atomic Energy Commission, "Italy To Purchase 10 Tons of Heavy Water for First Research Reactor," March 29, 1955

Lewis L. Strauss, Chairman of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, today announced that the United States has agreed in principle to the request of the Italian Government for the purchase of 10 tons of heavy water to be used in Italy's first research reactor.

This project was among the matters discussed between representatives of the two governments during the visit to Washington of Prime Minister Scelba of Italy. Professor Francesco Giordani, Chairman of the Italian Government's Committee for Nuclear Research, heads the Italian technical mission which is working out the details of the transaction with the AEC.

"This action is not only significant as another step in developing arrangements with friendly nations to promote the peaceful uses of atomic energy, but marks the first direct peacetime contribution of the Commission's Savannah River installation," Chairman Strauss said.

Special facilities at Savannah River and at Dana, Indiana, manufacture heavy water which is used in the reactors at the South Carolina plant. Heavy water is used as a "moderator" in several types of reactors to slow down the speed of neutrons.

The projected sale of heavy water to Italy is the second of its kind. The first, announced February 12, 1955, was for the sale of 10 tons of heavy water to be delivered to India in 1955 and 1956, for use in a research reactor to be built near Bombay. Both actions are part of the support of the President's atoms for peace plan.

Press release by Department of State, "United States-Italian Review of Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy," March 30, 1955

The Prime Minister of Italy and the Secretary of State reviewed the progress made in developing closer Italian-American cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy in accord with President Eisenhower's atoms-for-peace proposals.

Negotiations were begun looking toward the conclusion of an Agreement of Cooperation under the U. S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954 between Italy and the United States. An Italian technical mission under the leadership of Professor Francesco Giordani, President of the Italian Committee for Nuclear Research, has been discussing plans for further development of the Italian atomic energy program with_representatives of the Department of State and the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.

Professor Giordani indicated that his Government would like to construct a nuclear research reactor of the "CP-5 type" similar to the one at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. Conclusion of an Agreement for Cooperation would enable the United States to provide technical assistance and the necessary amount of uranium fuel for the first Italian reactor.

In anticipation of formal agreement, the United States has agreed in principle to make available to the Italian Government ten tons of heavy water which would be used in the proposed research reactor.

The United States also indicated that Italian students would be considered for participation in the second course at the newly opened School of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering at Chicago scheduled to begin late in the Fall of 1955.

During the course of the Prime Minister's visit, the United States Government presented to the Government of Italy a complete technical library containing all of the unclassified and declassified information on the peaceful uses of atomic energy that has been published in the United States.

Consistent with the peaceful purposes of the program established by President Eisenhower, the Italian mission has devoted particular time and effort in important exchanges of views with the American representatives to lay the ground for intensive cooperation in the areas of medical and biological applications of atomic energy.

Excerpts of address by Hon. Morehead Patterson, United States Representative for International Atomic Energy Agency Negotiations, "International Cooperation to Harness the Atom For Peace Where We Stand" at Atomic Industrial Forum, San Francisco, Calif., April 4, 1955

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Where does the United States stand today in carrying out the program of President Eisenhower for international cooperation to harness the atom for peace? First, Electric Power from the atom. This is the aspect of the peaceful use of the atom that has attracted the greatest public attention.

It has been the policy of this Government throughout the present. Administration that the early development of atomic power is essen