RACING FOR THE MOON 



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freshman Democrat David S. King. Son of a U.S. Senator, representing 

 a very shaky district in Salt Lake City, Utah, King was one of the 

 prime critics on the committee who was advocating use of solids in- 

 stead of liquids in space boosters. On this particular day, he recited 

 the biblical parable of the king who found himself in the unenviable 

 position of confronting 50,000 enemy troops while he possessed only 

 10,000. He noted: "The point of the parable being that before engaging 

 in contest one must very carefully evaluate and appraise the strength 

 of the adversary." When Dr. Seamans could not answer pointedly the 

 obvious question whether the United States would get to the Moon 

 before the Russians, King then posed this question: 



The Russians have indicated at various times that their goal is to get a man on 

 the Moon and return safely by 1967, the 50th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. 

 Now specifically I would like to know, yes or no, are we making that a specific target 

 date to try to equal or surpass their achievement? 



Seamans answered : 



As I indicated in earlier testimony this morning, our dates are for a circumlunar 

 flight in 1967, and a target date for the manned lunar landing in 1969 or 1970. 



King then asked whether, through a fuller marshaling of man- 

 power and resources it might be possible to meet a target date of 1967. 

 Dr. Seamans responded that "to compress the program by 3 years means 

 that greatly increased funding would be required for the interval of 

 time between now and 1967. I cannot state that this is an impossible 

 objective * * * my estimate at this moment is that the goal may very 

 well be achievable." 



Pressed by Representative J. Edgar Chenoweth (Republican of 

 Colorado), Seamans indicated that to speed up the lunar landing goal 

 would cost many billions of dollars. Chenoweth raised the question of 

 "whether our economy can stand perhaps double or treble the present 

 funding or even go higher than that, by putting up money to achieve 

 this lunar shot, say in 1967, or even before. It is a question of whether 

 such an accomplishment has that much national and international 

 significance and importance. Do you agree with that?" 

 Dr. Seamans. Yes 



Mr. Chenoweth. You say the United States can do it if we increase the money? 

 Dr. Seamans. I did not say we could do it. I said we would review our plans and 

 advise whether it was possible. I think it may be possible. 



Chenoweth became even more disturbed as Seamans remained 

 optimistic. With rare vision, he virtually predicted what would 

 happen as a result of the discussion: 



Mr. Chenoweth. I think you have to be very careful of what you tell this com- 

 mittee because there will be those who will say, "All right, let's boost up our ap- 

 propriation, double it, treble it. The most important thing is to put this man on the 

 Moon.' - 



