Evening star., 1942-12-01
KnoxCance|s
Navy'sMove
ToPentagon
Decision to Halt
Spreodout Solves
Army Headache

Secretary Knox and the Navy's
high command probably will never
occupy the sumptuous offices in the
War Departments Pentagon Build
ing that the Army has been prepar-
ing for expected occupancy some
time this month.
BY mutual agreement and after
reconsideration, it was disclosed late
yesterday that Secretary Knox has
decided to remain in the Munitions
Building. So, for the time being at
least, the report went, the proposal
for the two high commands to share
quarters under one roof has been
abandoned. Officials doubt if it
ever will be revived.
Decision Explained.
I'VE found it would be impossible
to get enough of the Navy over there
to make it an efficient move" Secre-
tary Knox said at a press conference
today.
I'VE could not make the move
without pretty serious interruption
of important war work that is going
on right now, and, of course, that is
the first consideration.
However, must express my ap-
probation to Secretary Stimson and
the War Department for their gen.
erous invitation for us to move into
their beautiful building"
A War Department official ex-
planned yesterday that it appeared
that the disadvantages of the pro-
posed move "outweighed" the ad-
vantages. Officials admitted pri-
vately that Mr.. Knox's decision to
remain in the Munitions Building
had eased terrific headache in
trying to determine where the naval
personnel could be squeezed into
the building.
Originated With King.
The plan originated with Admiral
Ernest j. King. commander of the
United States Fleet and Chief of
Naval Operations. 1t was enlarged
on by Gen. George C. Marshall.
Army Chief of Staff. Secretary
Stimson thought it splendid idea
and invited Mr.. Knox to take up
the invitation.
To the public generally, the idea
Of the two high commands being
under one roof in closer co-opera-
ton, seemed to point way to
long desired step toward a unity of
command.
But now it develops that Mr.. Knox
has reached the conclusion that the
step was one that would involve
such separation of the Navy's de-
partmentS as to result in an i'm
pairment of the continuous and eff
clent conduct of the war operations.
Reports put the number of Navy
personnel involved in the proposed
change as high as 10000, which
probably is an exaggerated number.
When the tape measures were put to
work to estimate the space needed
on the second and third floors, it
was found to be mathematical
equation to which there was only
one answer. The plan was aban-
doned.
Meant Many Moves.
1t developed yesterday that to
move so many naval personnel into
the Pentagon Building, large as it
is, meant moving lot of Army en-
ployes and officials back to the city.
They couldn't go back to the Num-
tlons Building, for the Navy has
grabbed all the vacated space there.
There simply isn't any building in
the city to take them in without put
ting out an equal number. That
would start an endless chain of
moves, officials said, and the public
housing situation in Washington.
isn't equal to the test.
Now the question arises as to the
disposition to be made of the hand
some suite of Offices that were being
prepared for Secretary Knox and
Admiral King in the Pentagon
Building. 1t is probable it was said,
that Undersecretary of War Robert
P. Patterson and perhaps 1t. Gen.
Brehon B. Somervell, commander of
the Services of Supply, might occupy
them.
Mr.. Patterson is still quartered in
the elaborate suite of new War De-
partment Building at Twenty first
and B streets, to which Mr.. Stimson
refused to move last summer.