U.S. May Use Moon To Keep Check On World

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28679, 1 September 1958, Page 11

U.S. May Use Moon To Keep Check On World

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 30. Tiie Defence Department reacted slowly and almost silently yesterday to a statement by Mr James Fulton, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, that American scientists could use the moon to keep a check on the whole world, American Associated Press reported.

Mr Fulton made the remark on a visit to Holland. He hinted that the United States had developed a system that could detect nuclear explosions and missile launchings anywhere This would be done by bouncing waves presumably electro magnetic off the moon. Hours later, the Pentagon declared that “published reports attributed to a Congressman do not coincide with any available information concerning current Department of Defence projects.*’

However, the' statement appeared to be in conflict with remarks made last April by RearAdmiral John T. Hayward, the Navy’s research chief, the American Associated Press report said. Admiral Hayward, appearing before the special House space committee, replied in the affirmative when Mr Fulton asked* him: “On current research developments do we in the United States have it within our power soon to monitor the world?”

Admiral Hayward refused to give details, other than to say the possibility resulted from electronic developments achieved during the previous six months at Naval Research Laboratories. The New York “Daily News” today criticised Mr Fulton for making the statement. “It’s wonderful if true,” the

•Daily New's” said. “But why couldn’t Fulton have kept his mouth shut until the system was operating? Why this advance brag about something we’re going to do, when there is always the chance that the project may flop on its face and set the world snickering at us?”