Professors Defend Oppenheimer's Loyalty

Two professors stated last night that during their association with J. Robert Oppenheimer '26 on the atomic bomb project at Los Alamos, N.M., they "had no reason at any time" to doubt the famed physicist's loyalty to his country.

By personal order of President Eisenhower Oppenheimer has been barred from all access to secret data and suspended "on security grounds" by the Atomic Energy Commission. A review of the 16 FBI charges against him was begun yesterday by the Commission's Personnel Security Board.

Convinced of Loyalty

Kenneth T. Bainbridge, professor of Physics, asserted yesterday that "after working closely with Dr. Oppenheimer for two and a half years at Los Alamos, I am convinced he is a loyal American devoted to his country. The loss of his services to the United States would be a tragedy."

Norman F. Ramsey, professor of Physics, said that he has been associated with Oppenheimer for the past ten years and that in that time he has "given no reason" for anyone to doubt his loyalty.

Another professor, on sabbatical leave at the Institute for Advanced Study, of which Oppenheimer is director, called the investigation of the physicist "insane and crazy." Perry G. E. Miller, professor of American Literature, said last night that "the charges were nothing but what has been on the record for years and I'm positive the case will be cancelled in a few days."

One of the primary charges brought against Oppenheimer is that he opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb.

In this decision he sided with President Emeritus James B. Conant who was then a member of the advisory committee of scientists, and the committee chairman, David E. Lilienthal. The whole committee supported this decision but was overruled by Rear Admiral Strauss, then an AEC commissioner.

Professor Ramsey said Oppenheimer only argued against a "crash program" for the H-bomb and that once ex-President Truman ordered the hydrogen bomb project started, he dropped all opposition to it.