The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-19

'nal control of the United state, afereBoes of the peace. At left iS An here as they Nysehesiav Moio talks with the St, Ia. England and
 have never been required 10 work together in the pas..
 The Presidents merger plan closely paralleled legislation already introduced by Sen Lister Hill. ID, Alaf. Merger proponents greeted tae Presidents message warmly and said it more than fulfilled their expectations.
 Price still High
 Mir. Truman started out ln his message by admitting that during the war just concluded. this nation paid 8 "high price" for the lack Of central direction and unified command in Washington. The joint chiefs of staff set up during the war. he said. was better than no coordination at all but was in no sense a unified command.
 MT. Truman hammered repeated ly at his underlying reason for uni fication To be prepared in event Of another war.
 Such unification is another eS- sential step-along with universal training-in the development of a comprehensive and continuous pro- gram for our future safety and for the peace and security of the world" He told the House and Sen ate
 Among the things that have en- outraged aggression and the spread of war in the past have been the unwillingness of the United States realistically to face this fact, and her refusal to fortify her aims of peace before the forces of aggreS- sion could gather in strength.
 The future peace of the world will depend in large part upon whether or not the United States shows that it is really determined to continue in its role as leader among nations"
 Principles Listed
 MT. Truman listed for Congress the principles behind his recom- mendations as follows: l. we should have integrated strategic plans and a unified mil- itary program and budget"
 2. we should realize the econ- omics that can be, achieved through unified control of supply and service functions"
 3. We should adopt the organ national structure best suited to fostering coordination between the military and the remainder of the governments" He favored a co-ordinated intelligence service, working in close cooperation with other government agencies charged with executing foreign policy.
 4. We should provide the strongest means for civilian con- trol of the military"
 5. We should organize to pro- vide parity for air power Army Air officers have favored unific- ation but as an alternative pre- ferred a third, independent de- partment for air. MT. Truman said it was infinitely" preferable to have one unified department rather than create three depart ments where two now exist.
 6. We should establish the most advantageous framework for unified system of training for combined operations of land, sea and air"
 T. We should allocate system atically our limited resources for
 scientific research"
 8. We should have unity of command in outlying bases"
 g. We should have consistent and equitable personnel policies, to avoid competitive recruitment and variations in decorations, point systems for discharge and rank. This inconsistency he said, Is highly undesirable. It will be reduced to a minimum under a unified organization"
 MT. Truman emphasized that uni fication was 8 long-term job and task of greatest difficulty"
 But I am certain" he said, that when the task is accomplished, we shall have military establishment far better adapted to carrying out it's share of our national program for achieving peace and security" Truman did not say specifically what would happen to the military and naval academies under the merger plan or the effect, if adopt ed, it would have ol. the present Congressional system of separate military and naval affairs commit tees in each house of Congress.