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Bonner, Francis T. (fl. 1945) [Newsletter for the Association of Manhattan Project scientists in the New York City area]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03152.05 Author/Creator: Bonner, Francis T. (fl. 1945) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1 November 1945 Pagination: 8 p. ; 27.8 x 21.7 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Bonner, a Manhattan Project scientist and present-day professor emeritus of chemistry at the State University of New York. He writes as Secretary of the Executive Committee. Introductory note on first page indicates that the association hopes to recruit new members. In the following pages, the Association urges members to write to their Congressmen, asking that the May-Johnson bill "be reported back to the Committee on Military Affairs, and that extensive public hearings be held on all atomic energy legislation" (the May-Johnson bill, proposing governmental and military control over nuclear research, did not pass). Relates that at a 30 October meeting of the association, Dr. Harold Urey spoke against the May-Johnson bill, calling it "totalitarian." Also at the meeting, Clark M. Eichelberger, Director of the American Association for the United Nations, argued that the issue of atomic power should be "projected into the international field" under the direction of an International Commission on Atomic Energy. Eichelberger suggested that the worlds' confidence in the good will of the United States may be restored if the United States moves away from a policy of secrecy regarding the bomb. The scientists present at the meeting supported establishment of a United Nations commission to investigate atomic energy. Furthermore, they began the process of forming a national association of atomic bomb scientists. Discusses establishment of the name "Association of Manhattan Project Scientists, New York City Area," noting that "Manhattan Project signifies the entire organization of research, development and production people." Mentions raising dues for the association, proposing to "soak the rich... Dues shall be one dollar per year per one hundred dollars per month earned in salary by the member."

Many scientists opposed the May-Johnson bill because they did not want the scientific study of atomic energy to be controlled by the government or military during peacetime.

Bonner, Francis T., fl. 1942-1946
Goldberg, Mildred, 1923-2008
Urey, Harold Clayton, 1893-1981
Eichelberger, Clark Mell, 1896-1980

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