Science: Nixon v. the Scientists

Richard Nixon has never been able to count American scientists among his most enthusiastic supporters. In recent years, some of his own scientific consultants have publicly criticized him for his use of defoliants in Viet Nam, his support of the supersonic transport (SST) and his campaign for the Safeguard anti-ballistic-missile system. But the President does not seem to be listening. Administration policies, says the Federation of American Scientists, have left "the scientific community with an ever greater feeling of frustration."

Now, in a sweeping reorganization designed to save money and help streamline the...