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Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1947
1947-10-25 Report on Burlington Atomic Energy Week Page 4
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with an effective radio broadcast urging the citizenry to learn the necessary facts before it is too late. Volunteer firemen and policemen assembled at the fire and police stations were given fliers and urged to attend the mass meeting. 10) The mass meeting was attended by 1200 people. Hard rain kept many home who listened to Strauss's speech over the radio. Band played half hour before speeches. The mayor presided. The Farm Bureau representative explained the objectives of Atomic Energy Week. An excellent question period followed the speeches. 11) Radio. In addition to above, the local station ran spot announcements during the week and a program each day. These included: half hour broadcast by speaker's bureau panel, discussion by Atomic Energy Week chairman and associate director of information of U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, "man on the street" quizes and interviews. Some of these were recorded and rebroadcast. 12) The Press. Local paper gave five day build up to week and daily publicity during week including: printing of statements from Einstein, Lillienthal, W.W. Waymack, and Hickenlooper on Burlington's project; editorials; large reprint of Ding's cartoon referred to above; front page reports of all phases of week; several excellent letters to editor. Labor News and other house organs including weekly sports publication gave project liberal space. High school paper carried article Des Moines Register, read widely throughout state, printed, illustrated feature story plus full report of blackout and mass meeting. Three letters to the editor were printed. A.P. wire service took story which appeared in various papers throughout country and as far away as Honolulu. Nearby weekly papers reported Atomic Energy Week 13) Schools. Programs were given at assembly meetings in the three high schools. Subject discussed in government, social science, and science classes and also for one hour in all home rooms. 14) Theaters. A theater used "One World or None" nine minute film. 15) Speaker's Bureau. 30 groups, including service clubs, P.T.A's etc heard talks, some of them accompanied by a movie supplied by the bureau. Cost The cost totaled $400, $200 of which was defrayed by a special fund raised by the League.The remaining expense was met by $25 contributions given by cooperating organizations. Check Up Informal spot inquiry at close of Atomic Energy Week indicated: 1) General enthusiasm for project 2) Many areas in which people still veer away from the subject feeling that it is beyond their comprehension and that they can do nothing about it. 3) Other areas in which project stimulated thinking and talking with amazing success. Two typical reports follow. A young lawyer said " I have attended two luncheons with groups of business men this week where almost the entire conversation centered on atomic energy." The post mistress said "The men sorting the mail talked atomic energy all afternoon today. I've never 0-404heard a serious discussion there before. You have really reached the roots of the grass roots this time." Continuation 1) The Des Moines Register and Tribune is planning an Iowa Poll on atomic energy and will give Burlington and intensive polling to indicate the difference, if any, in the level of knowledge and attributes here as compared to rest of state. 2) Several requests have been received from Iowa and out of state communities for details on project by people interested in doing the same in their own cities. 3) Local leaders have agreed that there should be a continuing committee as an outgrowth of Atomic Energy Week, to promote further education on the subject. -4-
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with an effective radio broadcast urging the citizenry to learn the necessary facts before it is too late. Volunteer firemen and policemen assembled at the fire and police stations were given fliers and urged to attend the mass meeting. 10) The mass meeting was attended by 1200 people. Hard rain kept many home who listened to Strauss's speech over the radio. Band played half hour before speeches. The mayor presided. The Farm Bureau representative explained the objectives of Atomic Energy Week. An excellent question period followed the speeches. 11) Radio. In addition to above, the local station ran spot announcements during the week and a program each day. These included: half hour broadcast by speaker's bureau panel, discussion by Atomic Energy Week chairman and associate director of information of U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, "man on the street" quizes and interviews. Some of these were recorded and rebroadcast. 12) The Press. Local paper gave five day build up to week and daily publicity during week including: printing of statements from Einstein, Lillienthal, W.W. Waymack, and Hickenlooper on Burlington's project; editorials; large reprint of Ding's cartoon referred to above; front page reports of all phases of week; several excellent letters to editor. Labor News and other house organs including weekly sports publication gave project liberal space. High school paper carried article Des Moines Register, read widely throughout state, printed, illustrated feature story plus full report of blackout and mass meeting. Three letters to the editor were printed. A.P. wire service took story which appeared in various papers throughout country and as far away as Honolulu. Nearby weekly papers reported Atomic Energy Week 13) Schools. Programs were given at assembly meetings in the three high schools. Subject discussed in government, social science, and science classes and also for one hour in all home rooms. 14) Theaters. A theater used "One World or None" nine minute film. 15) Speaker's Bureau. 30 groups, including service clubs, P.T.A's etc heard talks, some of them accompanied by a movie supplied by the bureau. Cost The cost totaled $400, $200 of which was defrayed by a special fund raised by the League.The remaining expense was met by $25 contributions given by cooperating organizations. Check Up Informal spot inquiry at close of Atomic Energy Week indicated: 1) General enthusiasm for project 2) Many areas in which people still veer away from the subject feeling that it is beyond their comprehension and that they can do nothing about it. 3) Other areas in which project stimulated thinking and talking with amazing success. Two typical reports follow. A young lawyer said " I have attended two luncheons with groups of business men this week where almost the entire conversation centered on atomic energy." The post mistress said "The men sorting the mail talked atomic energy all afternoon today. I've never 0-404heard a serious discussion there before. You have really reached the roots of the grass roots this time." Continuation 1) The Des Moines Register and Tribune is planning an Iowa Poll on atomic energy and will give Burlington and intensive polling to indicate the difference, if any, in the level of knowledge and attributes here as compared to rest of state. 2) Several requests have been received from Iowa and out of state communities for details on project by people interested in doing the same in their own cities. 3) Local leaders have agreed that there should be a continuing committee as an outgrowth of Atomic Energy Week, to promote further education on the subject. -4-
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