Attachment 9 Memorandum from T. L. Shipman to Dr. Shields Warren, 1/10/52 January 20, 1952 Dr. Shields Warren Division of Biology and Medicine U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D.C. Dear Shields: Since Wright's return from the meeting in Washington, we have discussed the developments at considerable length, and the matter has also been discussed with Mr. Bradbury. As I stated in my telephones conversation with John Bugher last week, I am distinctly unhappy over the inability to include as active members of the committee representatives of the various branches of the service. In considering the various experiments to be performed at test operations, the proposals made by nonmilitary groups have never given very much trouble. They are either very proper and well thought out or else so fantastic as to be discarded without too much worry. The experimental programs issuing from the various branches of the Armed Forces, however, are in a different category. Some of them represent very real gaps in our knowledge which should be filled, while others seem to be the same old chestnuts being pulled out of the fire again and again. I for one, have no desire to criticize the desire of the Armed Forces for a specific bit of information. I do, however, object strongly to seeing an expensive experiment married out where the desired information already exists from previous tests, or where the experimental procedure does not seem properly planned to produce the desired knowledge. It is also an obvious fact that any proposed biomedical experiment must be properly shaped to fit within the framework of the proposed test and be in conformity with the yield and type of detonation which is planned. Boiling this whole thing down, therefore, the function of such a screening committee, as has been proposed, is (a) to provide the test director with the complete assurance that the proposed experiments should fit properly within the framework of the operation as planned and (b) to assist the various groups proposing experiments in adapting their proposals to the operation in question and so designing their experiments that the maximum amount of knowledge will be derived. The purpose is to help rather than hinder. I certainly can not feel that informing a group that their proposed experiment can not possibly add to information already available can be regarded as a hindrance, nor do i feel that pointing out that a proposed experiment can not possibly give information of statistical 1 Dr. Shields Warren, January 10, 1952--Page 2 validity can be considered obstructionism/ According to Wright's description the committee as now composed will consider only those experiments proposed by civilian organizations. it is planned that a subcommittee might later meet with representatives of the Armed Forces to consider their proposals with the possible thought of combining certain experiments or expanding others. I personally feel that such a procedure would be totally useless. By the time the military proposal have reached this stage, they have already received the blessing of AFSWP and RDD as well as various and ILLEGIBLE generals, admirals, and what have you. Funds have already been allocated, and equipment and supplies have often been procured. The roller coaster has already started, and their is no possible way of stopping it until it finally comes to the end of the track. The military representatives would look on the efforts of the committee with nothing but amused tolerance and would cheerfully proceed just as they planned to in the first place. I personally do not see how the committee as constituted at the present time can possibly accomplish anything. I feel that unless something is done to beef it up and provide it with something more than the ability to meditate, there is very little to be gained by having either me or Wright make periodic trips from here to Washington. I also feel that if AEC can not exercise a measure of actual control in this matter, they might better withdraw from the picture completely and permit the military to continue on its own sweet way without the somewhat ludicrous spectacle of an important committee's snapping its heels like a puppy dog. Again I say that a properly constituted committee should exist to assist the military is carrying out a wise intelligent program and object only when proposals were clearly unreasonable. If this is to be done at all, the proposals must be considered in their infancy and not after they have attained both manhood and virulence after passage through a number of high-ranking military officials. I realize that the present status of the committee is not of your choosing, and because of this I feel that the strongest possible representations should be made to the MLC with the hope of obtaining a reconsideration of this question which I believe all of us regard as of utmost importance. In this letter, I have mentioned only the representation of the committee by the military. It goes without saying that I am also in complete agreement with Mr. Bradbury that the test director should be officially represented on the committee. The procedure that was worked out prior to Operation Greenhouse had certain flaws, particularly in the financial aspects, but in the final analysis it did produce a well-planned and pro- Dr. Shields Warren, January 10, 1952--Page 3 ductive program. I fail to see why we should not be able to do the same thing over again. Very sincerely yours, THOMAS L. SHIPMAN, M. D. Health Division Leader TLS:pw cc: J. Bugher N. Bradbury A. Graves W. Langham