BEHIND THE STORY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 10

BEHIND THE STORY

Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey, of “Look's’’ Washington Bureau, and authors of the best-selling novel, “Seven Days in May," first sought access to the secret files of the war-time atomic project in 1959. Denied access then, they renewed their request after President Kennedy’s inauguration in early 1961. Thia time, permission was granted to examine a limited portion of the files. The authors were required not only to submit their notes for initial security clearance, but also to submit the finished manuscript to the Department of Defence, the Department of State, and the Atomic Energy Commission for final review and clearance. Access to the files was granted in June, 1961. The authors' notes were cleared. The manuscript was submitted on October 31, 1961, and was initially refused clearance by the State Department. After prolonged efforts, the State Department was finally persuaded to give its clearance on June 13, 1963—exactly two years after the Army’s initial opening of the files to the authors. The contents of the article do not reflect the views of the Defence Department, the State Department, or the Atomic Energy Commission. THE EDITORS.