Eisenhower Library, “Project ‘Clean Up’, AEC–Nuclear Testing”
Memorandum by the Federal Civil Defense Administrator (Peterson) to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay)1
- Subject:
- NSC Action No. 1106–h2
The question of an international moratorium on future tests of nuclear weapons will obviously be decided on the basis of considerations other than those of primary importance to civil defense. I do feel, however, that the Council, in formulating its recommendations [Page 1450] to the President, should have before it all relevant information. In my opinion, the importance of the continental tests to the development of civil defense, in both technical and non-technical ways, is a pertinent consideration.
The necessity for FCDA participation in continental test series for research purposes, and the great benefits of such participation to the national civil defense public education and training programs, are well established. As a consequence, FCDA has planned what so far is its broadest and most elaborate participation for the next continental test series.
The need for research on the effects of nuclear weapons on typical civilian items, structures and installations is a continuing one. FCDA is a comparative newcomer in the test field, and our effects testing program is only now approaching our minimum requirements. The effects test program is closely coordinated with the Department of Defense, and a major criterion is that there shall be no duplication. FCDA also acts as a focal point for the test interests of other civilian agencies, and is currently providing coordination with the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission and otherwise assisting several agencies in planning tests for the next continental series. These agencies include the Food and Drug Administration, the Public Buildings Service, various offices of the Department of Agriculture with interests in foodstuffs, the Forest Service, the Housing and Home Finance Agency, and the Federal Housing Administration. Effects testing is so important to the civil defense program that the Congress has given it almost sole recognition in appropriating funds for FCDA research.
Another factor of importance is the participation of private industry in civil defense effects tests. In the Spring (1953) continental test series there was participation by the entire automotive industry through such groups as the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the National Automobile Dealers’ Association and the Society of Automotive Engineers. In addition, there was participation by major oil companies, the National Retail Dry Goods Association, the American Institute of Architects, and a number of individual concerns. The objectives of industry participation in atomic testing are: (a) to allow FCDA to increase the scope of its test programs by supplementing its own limited funds with industry sponsorship, (b) to provide, within industry, a nucleus of technical personnel with firsthand experience in nuclear weapons effects, and (c) to stimulate interest in the civil defense program within an industry through that industry’s direct participation in test programs.
The program for the next continental series includes plans for industry participation. The food industry, represented by the National Canners’ Association and its members, the Meat Institute and [Page 1451] the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association, is now planning with FCDA and the Food and Drug Administration a comprehensive program for the testing of canned and packaged foodstuffs. The trailer manufacturer and dealer associations are forming a technical committee to develop an empirical test of house trailers. The aluminum industry has organized an informal technical committee to work with FCDA on the development of tests of aluminum structures and products. The Housing and Home Finance Agency is working with the National Association of Home Builders on behalf of FCDA to develop a comprehensive and definitive program of residence testing. These are just a few of the expressions of interest from industry.
By integrating an observer and press program with the continental tests, FCDA has shown that the level of public interest in the civil defense program, and the level of public knowledge on nuclear weapons effects, can be significantly increased. The University of Michigan Survey Research Center, under contract with FCDA, conducted a survey of public knowledge and opinion in February and March of this year. In spite of the fact a whole year had elapsed between the public test of March 17th, 1953, called Operation Doorstep, and the survey, preliminary analysis of results indicates the following:
- 1.
- Seventy percent of the nation’s population saw, heard or read about Operation Doorstep.
- 2.
- Of those who remembered the test, 61 percent saw it on television or read about it. Another 26 percent heard about it in ways other than through public information media.
- 3.
- Nearly half of the population (46 percent) felt they had learned something from the test.
- 4.
- At least one-fifth of the nation saw better chances of survival as a result of something they learned.
- 5.
- One-third still desire information.
In addition, FCDA has proposed to the Atomic Energy Commission a program of indoctrination for Civil Defense key workers from the States and cities. This program would be similar to the military’s Desert Rock exercises, although on a smaller scale, with the objectives of (a) providing psychological conditioning for typical civil defense leaders; (b) providing a measure of prestige for the civil defense volunteer by demonstrating that the Government feels actual atomic attack training is as important for the volunteer as for his military opposite, and (c) emphasizing the national aspect of civil defense by getting several hundred civil defense workers together as representatives of the various States and cities.
These plans for technical tests, public participation, and civil defense participation in the next suitable continental series are already [Page 1452] well underway, and the plans are being coordinated at each step with both the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission.
I feel that the test program now under development and similar programs in the future are definitely in the public interest. They will give impetus to civil defense and increase public knowledge and awareness to an extent that cannot be readily duplicated by any other means.
One further item of information may have a bearing on the central question. It is clear to me that much opinion, both here and abroad, with respect to thermonuclear weapons, is based on gross misinformation on effects, as a result of journalistic exaggeration. As one example, I might cite the action of the local authorities in Coventry in abandoning their civil defense organization.
More recently, at a meeting of the NATO Civil Defense Committee, the Deputy Administrator of FCDA arranged a showing of the film “Operation Ivy”. She was both taken aback and encouraged by the reactions expressed after the showing. The representatives of both Belgium and Denmark expressed themselves as “reassured”! They saw a weapon of horrible power, but not one which would, as they had previously believed, erase their small countries in an instant. This feeling was shared by the others, who joined in a committee resolution expressing their joint conviction that civil defense is more important than ever.
I suggest that we may need to consider the extent to which support abroad for the moratorium under consideration may also be based on misinformation.