Evening star., 1946-03-29
Truman S Proposal
For Defense Council
Surprises Congress
BY file Associated Press

By ti,e Associated Press
President Truman's idea for a
council of studded "elder
statesmen" on national defense
caught Capitol Hill by surprise
today.
Key members of the Senate and
House Military and Naval Affairs
Committees, usually familiar with
administration thinking along such
lines, said today they had no previ-
Gus word of the Presidents inten-
ton.
Mr.. Truman announced at his
news conference yesterday that, act
ing under a recently approved bill
providing permanent fve-star rank
for four generals and four admirals
and four-star rank for the Marine
and Coast Guard commanders, he
had sent their names to the Senate
for confirmation.
Precise Function Not Given.
Then the Chief Executive told
newsmen the 10 World War II lead
ers would constitute an organization
Of elder statesmen, which would
serve directly under him. Precise
ly what it would do, he didn't say
Its members will be:
Generals Of the Army Dwight D
Eisenhower, Douglas Macarthur
George G. Marshall and Henry H
Arnold, Fleet Admirals William D
Leahy, Chester w. Nimitz, Will
liam F. Halsey and Earnest j. King
Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, Ma
rine commander, and Admiral Rus
sell r. Waesche, chief of the Coast
Guard.
Press Secretary Charles G. Ross
emphasized today that the officers
are not to be considered as con-
stituting formal organization"
He said they would be available
to the President for consultation
either individually or as a group
from time to time, in event OF
emergencies.
He pointed out that Gen. John J.
Pershing, now in retirement at
Walter Reed Hospital, was Con
suited frequently" during the war
In his announcement, the Presi-
dent said that for once the Nation
had been fair to the men who had
served it in time of emergency, and
that the arrangement would make
it unnecessary for them to take en-
ployment with advertising agencies
or airplane companies.
Admiral Halsey is scheduled to
join Pan American Airways system
next month as vice president in
charge of Pacific operations.
Informed of President Truman's
statement, he said:
Il have no comment"
A spokesman for the company in
New York likewise refused comment.
Chairman Thomas of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee ex-
pressed surprise when reporters told
him of the elder statesmen plan.
He said he had not been consulted,
and he expressed the hope that any
policy organization would include
members Of Congress.
Chairmen May Of the House Mil
itary Committee and Vinson of the
House Naval Committee also said
they had heard nothing of the plan
and were unprepared to speculate on
what functions the organization
might carry out.
Truman Unaware Of Navy Action.
Congress wasn't alone, however,
IN Its surprise at yesterdays de-
velopments. Mr.. Truman, answering
a reporters conference question,
said he had not heard of Secretary
of the Navy Forrestal's appointment
of a civilian Advisory Committee
for the Navy. The questioner had
what he said were re-
ports that the committee was de-
signed to take part in the Nays
fight against unification of the
armed forces, which the President
is backing.
The Navy earlier in the day is
sued the text of letter sent by
Secretary Forrestal to more than 40
men and women, inviting them to
serve on committee to advise the
Navy on its postwar program.
Mr.. Forrestal said suggestions
would be sought on such things as
Navy morale and welfare and that
furthermore, comments from such
a group of citizens on naval policies
and practices which are misunder-
stood or disapproved by the public
will, we believe, be helpful"
The committee will not "be in
volved in military matters or in con-
troversial questions" the Secretary
said, but will be free to express
opinions on any matter connected
with the Navy"