Evening star., 1943-04-03
La Guurdiu
Continued From First Page

mission. then considered returning
to private life.
Senator Truman said his conten-
ton is that specialized tasks required
by the military branches should be
civilian activities, but when a per-
son is commissioned he should stay
for the duration, adding
Il don't believe in letting fellows
back out in the middle of war.
why don't you send him eCol.
Zanuckp to school and make a real
soldier out of him? With his ex-
perience l think you could very we'll
use him at the front. That's where
We are going to need men"
The reports that Mr.. La Guardia
will be nominated brigadier gen.
eral, meanwhile. brought from
Chairman Reynolds of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee today
the statement that Il can readily
see why many people would ask why
1t has become necessary to appoint
general officers in the Army from
political life"
Presidential Secretary Stephen
Early told reporters last Saturday
that "all indications point to serv-
ice in the Army" for Mr. La Guardia
who, it was reported. would be as
signed to some administrative ca
pacity in North Africa or possibly
Italy when that country is occu-
pied by Allied forces.
Although asserting he has an
open mind" on the subject. Senator
Reynolds issued formal statement
which he said was "in response to
inquiries on the widely discussed
appointment The Senator said:
There is no doubt that if Mayor
La Guardia is appointed to a high
post in the United States Army, it
will arouse widespread interest 1t
would seem on the face that the
mayorality of our countrys largest
city is in itself responsibility enough
for any man. But that is deci-
sion for Mayor La Guardia to make.
"As chairman of the Senate Mill
tary Affairs Committee. have been
extremely proud of the way our
Army has been expanded with little
or no tinge OF political appoint
ments. I am confident that we have
the finest officer personnel in the
world. I believe that the confidence
OF our armed forces in their leaders
is without parallel in military his
tory.
This is true because general offi J.
GERS have risen from the ranks and
others have brought special training
and experience needed by the Army.
Civil Government is not an Army
responsibility and if the time should
come when civilian experience is
needed in meeting postwar prob
lens. believe that capable men
will be available from civilian life.
Doubts Hearing Necessary.
ut has not been necessary up to
the present time to hold any hear
ings in connection with nominations
for high posts in the Army. I am
not sure that hearings would be
| ilCSCoSdly III lllC CdSC VI MdyOI bd
Guardia. But I can readily see
why many people would ask, and
have reason to ask, why it has be-
come necessary to appoint general
officers in the Army from political
life.
The men in our armed forces
who are CALAMITY following their
respected leaders would also have a
right to ask questions as regards any
shifts in our military planning. I
feel that it would be my duty to at
least be able to answer these Ques-
tions, but do not want to try to
do 50 until the facts are presented" !"
Zanuck World War Veteran.
Mr.. Patterson's aides pointed out
that Col. Zanuck is veteran Of the
World War, having gone into that
struggle at the age of IS.
In explaining that the War De-
partment recently reorganized its
pictorial service and discontinued
operations through an industry re-
search council. Mr.. Patterson testi-
fed:
Your committee has, I believe,