The Nation - News from Sept. 15, 1989

The Senate sent President Bush legislation providing $225 million to start building a city-sized atom smasher in Texas that scientists hope will lead them to the universe’s most basic materials. The money, for construction and research on the superconducting super collider, is just the start of what is expected to ultimately be a federal infusion of up to $5 billion for the project. The facility could take up to seven years to build. On a voice vote, lawmakers approved an $18.6-billion measure financing energy and water programs for next year, containing the money for the super collider. The circular, 53-mile-long super collider is to be built 25 miles south of Dallas. It will be used to hurl proton beams at each other in a search for the basic building blocks of matter.