Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-19
Congress Proposals
Indicate Shelving Of
Army-NaW Merger
BY the Associated Pres

Congressional plans for separate
big Army and Navy air forces pro-
vided still another indication today
that President Truman's unification
plan Is destined for pigeonhole.
In fact, the Nays air arm stands
to get bigger pile of cash than the
Army'S.
That's the way we planned it."
one House App ropriat Commit
tee member said of the contention
by w. Stuart Symington. Assistant
Secretary of War for Air, that the
Army Air Force lis being relegated
to a secondary position.
Mr.. Symington made his asser-
ton In a speech this week before
the Detroit Economic Club in which
ne said the budget for the fiscal
year starting July l provides $685.
100000 for the Armys air branch
ana $385.OOO, 900 for the Nays. Mi
Symlngton said that represents the
purchase of 1920 planes for the
Army and 1859 for the NAVY.
Secondary Navy Role Rejected.
A member of the Naval Appro-
priations Subcommittee told re-
porter privately the committee an
proved the large naval aviation
fund because We don't want the
Navy, or any major component of
IL, relegated to a secondary posi-
ton"
The Army Appropriations Sub
committee put the finishing touches
today to a War Department bill
carrying Army Air Forces funds.
While members would not say In
advance of final committee action
what they had decided, they indi-
Gated the Air Forces allotment
would not exceed budget estimates.
But we are making no provision
for consolidation of the Army and
Navy air WINGS" a member said.
One of Mr.. Humans specific
recommendations is for a separate
air force, co-equal with the Army
and Navy.
Awaits Senate Action.
Chairman ManaSco of the House
Expenditures Committee, which has
jurisdiction over Army Navy con-
solidation legislation. said the COM
mittee plans no immediate action
on Mr.. Humans latest request.
sent to Capitol Hill last Saturday.
We aren't going to do anything
until the Senate acts" Mr. Manasco
told reporters.
Chairman May of the House Mill
tary Affairs Committee said he had
not studied the Presidents revised
plan thoroughly, but added he
doubts whether Congress will have
time to act on it in view of plans to
adjourn for the year next month.
Mr.. Truman got pledge of
"whole-hearted support" of his
merger plan from Secretary of War
Patterson yesterday, but a parallel
expression from Secretary of the
Navy Forrestal was missing.
Charles G. Ross, White House
press secretary. made public Mr..
Patterson's letter and said. in reply
to question, that none had been
received from Mr.. ForrestaI
Navy officials have made no COM
ment since the President laid down
his specific recommendations. al
though Mr.. Truman said he had
been assured of the support of both
Army and Navy heads.
The Presidents plan calls for a
single Secretary of Defense in the
cabinet, with subordinate secretaries
for the Army, Navy and air forces
not of cabinet rank. The Navy
would retain its Marine Corps but |
would lose most of it's land based |
aviation to an autonomous air
forces. A proposal for a single over
all chief of staff was eliminated in
favor OF continuing the present Joint
Chiefs of staff.