Lap of the Possible

The hydrogen bomb, which started a wave of excitement not so long ago, is getting an official play-down. At last week's press conference the Atomic Energy Commission confirmed tacitly the disparaging remarks about the H-bomb by former AECommissioner Robert Bacher (TIME, May 15). Bacher had pointed out that hydrogen bombs could not be made without consuming neutrons (from U-235) which might be used more profitably for making plutonium. When questioned about Bacher, Commissioner Henry DeWolf Smyth remarked significantly: "He is a fairly competent man in this field." This is as close as AEC ever comes to giving a straight opinion on a matter of military import.

In the same conference it happened again. Acting Chairman Sumner Pike said that the successful development of the hydrogen bomb "is right in the laps of the gods . . . The answer to the question about progress will probably be given when one goes bang or doesn't." A few minutes later he estimated the chances of success as "somewhere between probable and possible."

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