Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-04-09
New Senate Bill.
To MergeA||
Arms Drafted
Defense Department
Would Replace War
And Navy Secretaries
BY the Associated Pres

Proposed legislation abolishing
the present War and Navy De-
partments and establishing a
single new department Of COM
mon defense" was made public
today by the Senate Military
Affairs Committee.
The measure is intended to carry
out President Trumans request for
unlflcatlon Of the armed forces
Drafted after months of closed
door sessions and recommended BY
a three-man subcommittee the bill
would raise the air forces to equal
rank with the Army and Navy and
place all three under a single new
cabinet member, to be known as the
secretary of common defense"
Date Left to President.
Although complete new plan f0r
organization Of the armed forces was
presented, actual date for abolition
Of the present War and Navy De-
partments would be determined by
The President
The legislation was drafted by
Chairman Ebert Thomas. Senator
Austin Republican. of Vermont,
ranking Republican member Of the
/ committee, Senator Hill. Democrat.
/ of Alabama. Democratic whip, and
representatives Of the War and
and Navy Departments.
{ President Truman was shown the
proposed bill last week by Chairman
Thomas.
Air Force Given Autonomy.
The three Senators. in a report
accompanying the legislation. sum-
marizeQ 1t this way.
! "A single department is created
The air force is given autonomy
lntegrated strategic plans and
, unified military program and budget
are provided for Civilian control
is clearly fixed in a single civilian.
subject to the direction of the Pres
ident An organization structure Is
set up which will foster co-ordina-
ton between the military and the
remainder OF the Government. A
unified system of training for COM
bined operation for land. sea and
air is provided for, under the direc-
ton CT an assistant secretary. And
lastly. within the broad framework
established by the bill, there is ample
opportunity for such further organ
ization changes and Improvements
as experience indicates 10 be neces-
sary or advisable
Other Civilian Leaders.
In addition to the proposed new
secretary Of common defense. who
would take over present duties Of
Secretaries OF War and Navy, the
new department would include these
civilian leaders:
An madersecretary of common
defense.
/ Secretaries for the Army. Navy
and air forces. all serving under the
cabinet member.
Four assistant secretaries who
would head up scientific research,
intelligence activities. procurement
of supplies, and educational and
training activities,
The military side would include:
a chief of staff to the new secre-
tary. who would replace the present
wartime chief of staff to the Presi-
dent. This place would be rotated
among various services.
nafans, Tn,pa;J J,oI,,5ol
/ The Joint Chiefs Of Staff repre-
senting commanders of the Army,
Navy and air forces. This also is
wartime agency but would be
shifted from the President to the
/ new secretary,
/ Commanders of the land sea and
air forces,
. A new council of comon defense
would be created. which would IN
clude the Secretary OF State the
secretary of common defense and
the chairman of the national Sc
curity resources board
The security resources board
would be permanent organization
TO establish policies and programs
fol- use of resources in peace and
war for national security"
A new central intelligence
agency" also would be created. re-
porting to the council of common
defense.