Antitrust Provisions of the Atomic Energy Act

"It is ... declared to be the policy of the United States that... the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to promote world peace, improve the general welfare, increase the standard of living, and strengthen free competition in private enterprise." These are almost the first words of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which, in stating the policy of the United States, establish the goals to be sought. As stated, the strengthening of free competition is a goal; it is not the device by which the other goals are to be achieved. Apparently of equal value to the others mentioned, it might be sacrificed in case of a competition between it and another goal, such as increasing the standard of living.