Alaska Harbor Blast ‘Not Out Of
Question’ If Scaled Down, Says AEC
By BERNIE MORRIS
JUNEAU, UPi — A nuclear exca
vation at Cape Thoimpson is not
out of the question but should be
considered on a scaled-down
basis, atomic scientists told Alas
ka legislators Wednesday night.
Usefulness studies of the pro
posed blasting of an artificial har
bor northwest of Kotzebue, have
shown “the original large project
is not warranted,” said Dr. Elison
Shute of the University of Cali
fornia Atomic Research Labora
tories.
However, he added, the same
group of scientists who developed
the original proposal has been
“considering a scaled-down pro
ject to provide information and a
smaller harbor.” •
The AEC gave preliminary con
sideration to the original Cape
Thompson p r o j e c t. However,
chairman John A. McCone last
week told a Congressional hear
ing the AEC was looking for a
more suitable place than Alaska
for the project.
Questioned Economic Feasibility
McCone questioned the econom
ic feasibility of a harbor in the
Arctic coastal region.
Dr. Shute and his associate at
Wednesday night’s meeting, Dr.
Gerald Johnson, said they could
not testify as to possible economic
usefulness of a harbor in the Cape
Thompson location. But they
maintained the technical feasibili
ty of blasting a harbor has been
demonstrated.
Health and Safety Aspects
The next step, Dr. Johnson
said, was to determine the health
and safety aspects of the problem.
Dr. Johnson acknowledged that
fission — not fusion — process
would be used in the large exca
vation planned at the Cape. The
fusion process is regarded as
“cleaner” — not so likely to dis
tribute harmful radioactivity —
but it is not known how to apply
it to large scale reactions.
Dr. Johnson said the scientists
hopefully expected only 10 per
cent of the radiation produced by
the proposed scaled down blast
would reach the atmosphere.
He described several under
ground blasts on the Nevada prov
ing grounds which, he said, would
prove helpful in designing the
proposed excavation at Cape
Thompson.
Scaled-Down Project Immense
However, none of the Nevada
blasts would approach the immen
sity of even the scaled-down pro
ject in Alaska.
The smaller version here would
involve three 20,000 ton explo
sions at 700 feet in the earth.
The result, the scientists said,
would be a 250-foot-wide chan
nel leading from the shallow beach
to an excavated basin, about 1,800
feet by 3,000 feet.
Johnson estimated the cost of
the original proposal at from six
to seven million dollars. The
scaled-down proposal has been es
timated to cost about two. million
"DO IT ALL
WITH ONE CALL"
★
Modern Laundry
AND
Dry Cleaners
★
Complete Dry Cleaning
and
Laundry Service
★
FOR PICK-UP — CALL
MAIN 113
★
Jim and Ruth McLean
Proprietors
dollars less than the original pro
posal.
The effects of the explosion
would be felt in the form of a
ground shock for about 10 to 15
miles around, Dr. Johnson told the
legislators. There might be some
damage in a three-mile radius,
he said.
No Danger of Seismic Activity
He said there was no danger of
seismic activity resulting from
the proposed blast.
Some people might have to be
moved out of the area at the time
of the explosion, Dr. Johnson said.
That would be determined in the
health and safety studies. He
added that many of the blasts car
ried out on the atomic proving
grounds in Nevada were within
20 miles of populated areas.
In any case, he said, the blasts
“have to be conducted in such a
way that no person is affected.”
Notate was given for possible
work on the site of the blast. Dr.
Johnson said. He said it would
take scientists four months to get
ready for the blast, after all
health studies had been com
pleted and approval had been giv
en at all levels.
ASTRONOMY NOTES
By OLAF HALVERSON
The constellation Leo is pe
j culiarly associated with the sea
son of spring. The fine sickle of
this constellation appears in the
east in the early evening. With
the coming of spring, it becomes
the dominant figure in the south
ern sky. Follow the line of the
pointers of the Great Dipper to
ward the south and a little fur
ther than the distance of the pole
in the opposite direction. There
you will find Leo.
The sickle figure of six stars
arid the right triangle to the east
are the distinguishing features of
this constellation of the zodiac.
Regulus, at the end of the sickle’s
handle, is the brightest star.
Denebola, at the eastern vertex of
the triangle has the brightness of
the pole star.
To the west of Leo is the dim
zodiacal constellation called Can
cer. A line from Denebola thru
the blade of the sickle and ex
tended equally far on the west
side, points out a star cluster
called the Beehive.
PATROL VESSEL LAUNCHED
FOR ALASKA FOREST SERVICE
TACOMA, UP) — The 61-foot
patrol vessel Tongass Ranger was
launched at Western Boat Build
ing Corp. yesterday. The $120,000
boat will be used by the U. S.
Forest Service in Alaska.
Paper Makers Told They
Will Have To Use More
Hardwoods in Manufacture
NEW YORK, OP)—The American
Paper & Pulp Association (APPA)
yesterday elected J. R. Kimberly
to his second term as * president.
Kimberly, 55, is president and
board chairman of Kimberly
Clark Corp., Neenah, Wise.
The association has wound up
its 82nd annual convention. For
five days, some 5,000 paper men
had been discussing the industry’s
prospects and problems.
At a session of the American
Pulpwood Association, a paper
chemistry engineer asserted U. S.
paper producers, who now lean
largely on coniferous — or cone
bearing—trees, must switch to
hardwood trees for more of their
supplies.
The paper industry consumes
about one-fifth of the wood cut in
the U. S. each year. Eight per
cent of this is coniferous.
Fine Job Printing At The Nugget.
Nome-U-Wash
WASHERS & DRYERS
To Use Yourself — or
We'll Do It For You!
— Phone Black 1 —
JUST IN TIME . . .
NAZARETH, Israel, UP) — “No
one but Allah knows what the
future holds in store,” Nassrullah
Abu Sinnih, 75, told his old friend
Mussah Amneh, 80, Wednesday.
The two old Arab merchants
made out their wills, dividing
their property among their sons.
Both men died before midnight,
of natural causes.
NO DRIVE ...
GLENDORA, Calif.. Of) — Dolly
Mosby’s car started fine. But it
just wouldn’t move.
She called her husband, Rob
ert, who looked under the car. He
found why it wouldn’t run:
Someone had stolen the drive
shaft.
PIONEER
WATER
DELIVERY
MAIN 14
Pure, Natural Water
\*m%/j
TOE WOMB’S MOST BMUHTiFUllLY PMM&DOJJED CMS
i
Here’s how to comfort-test a Ford. Take six people— | Suggested Ford retail prices are lowest of the best-selling
a daddy longlegs, a Mr. “five by five,” any shape, any I three for all comparable models. With radio, heater, and
size. Put them in a Ford and watch what happens. First I automatic transmission, Fords are priced up to $102.75
they can get in easier. Once inside, everyone (includ- • less than the major competition. Diamond Lustre Finish
ing the man in the middle) has a thickly padded seat J never needs waxing. The aluminized muffler normally
for real comfort. There’s more than enough room for . lasts twice as long. Finally, Ford’s beautiful proportions
legs, elbows, hips—and hats! Come in for a “people test”! • will command a higher price when you sell.
I
I
I
I
I
I
i
“Seats are comfortable
all the way across...
no hard spot in
the middle”
Come people test 'em today! j^j^) J^v^j) Come savings test 'em today I
FOR A BETTER BUY IN A USED CAR OR TRUCK, BE SURE TO SEE OUR OR OTHER SELECTIONS
NORTHERN COMMERCIAL COMPANY
FORD GARAGE
#