Evening star., 1945-10-24
Vandegrift Opposes
Service Merger as
Sitting Competition
Marine Chief Urges .
Delaying Action Until
Full Study Is Made

Gen. A. A. Vandegrift, COM
mandant of the Marine Corps,
today voiced opposition before
the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee to merger of the Army
and Navy, asserting such unfit
cation would cover healthy and
progressive competition with a
heavy coat of anonymous bu-
reaucratic gray"
Before Gen. Vandergrift testified,
it was learned that President Tru-
man has promised to furnish the
committee a secret report by four
admirals and generals on proposals
to merge the armed services. 1t has
been reported the two generals and
an admiral voted for the merger
and one admiral dissented.
Gen. Vandegrift told the commit
tee lengthy study should be made
as to the necessity for such a mer-
ger.
Opposes Hasty Change.
Until We have the benefits of OBJ
Jective study we should refrain from
hastily contrived changes in an or
ganization which has served us so
well" he declared. 1--WE should also
remember that the actors on the
stage are not the best critics"
Gen. Vandegrift said that IF we
take into account the implications
of atomic warfare, it may well be
that conventional methods of war
fare will occupy a secondary role
altogether
With this in mind the proposed
merger should not be considered
until 1t is broadened to include a
survey of methods to integrate
science, industry and production as
well as the military force, he said.
The war was "skillfully and sue
cessfully conducted and we should
now be examining the record to de-
termine the reasons for success
rather than engaging in the use of
lnuendo to present our victory In
the light of failure" he added.
Joint Staff Called Adequate.
Gen. Vandegrift said the Joint
chiefs of staff proved to be an en-
tlrely adequate medium for affect
ing coordination at home and en-
forcing the Nations command man
dates in the field"
Substitute for them one supreme
commander of all armed forces and
the result will be only to project
the military hierarchy upward into
fields which profoundly affect the
political, economic and social aspects
of national security and national
life" he said.
/ There is distinct possibility that
the Marine Corps, the Navy's Sea-
bees and naval air arm would dis
appear in merger, he said.
He pointed out that the report of
the joint chiefs of staff special
committee for reorganization of
national defense agreed to safeguard
the Marine Corps, the Marine feet
air arm and the naval air arm.
However, the agreements also in
clude a proviso that during the 10
years subsequent to the enactment
of the legislation, the United States
Chief of Staff, by unanimous action,
may modify the agreement with the
approval of the President"
Would Retain Bureaus.
Gen. Vandegrift recommended re-
tention of the War and Navy De-
partments as separate organizations
on cabinet level, permanent es-
tablishment of the joint chiefs of
staff to coordinate the armed
forces, legislation to correct weak
nesses to be found within present
organizations, and "implementing
the Nations potential power for war
by providing the means for studying,
co-ordinating and developing the
civilian aspects of national security
(See MERGER page AN