Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-01
Vote Due "Wednesday
In Senate Committee
On Service Merger
BY J. A. oLeary

Committee Is expected to take a
ANAL vote Wednesday on a modi-
FED version of the administra-
lions plan for unifcation of the
national defense forces.
A new draft Of the measure, en-
bodying changes that have been
discussed In recent weeks, was made
public last night and Is likely to win
committee approval without major
changes. The committee Is headed
by Senator Quincy, Republican, of
South Dakota.
After the committee acts, how
1 ever, the bill will have a long road
TO travel If 1t is to pass both houses
I. before this session of Congress ends,
probably in July.
On the floor Of the Senate the
plan will have to compete for time
with nearly dozen appropriation
bills which face June 80 deadline
Conference reports on such i'm
portant issues as labor control and
taxes also will have the right of
way.
Bill Delayed in House.
Meanwhile, on the House side the
defense unification bill is being
, delayed in the Executive Expendi-
\tures Committee, which has in
!, terrupted consideration of the
measure to hold hearings on two
+ Of President Humans executive
! orders reorganizing civilian agencies
Of the Government.
Representative Hoffman, Repub-
hcan, of Michigan, chairman of the
House committee, pointed out last
night that the President has just
submitted third reorganization
plan, dealing with housing agencies
II Congress wishes to alter any OF
these general reorganization orders
1t must act within so days after their
+ submission. Mr.. Hoffman was not
prepared to say last night when his
committee would resume hearings or
armed services unification.
II there should not be time before
the summer adjournment to get the
unifcation bill through both houses
however, any progress made on il
in the Senate at this session would
count, since the 1948 session will be
part Of the same Congress.
Congress Intention Outlined.
The new draft of the Senate bill
contains an Introductory declaration
of policy, setting forth the intention
of Congress to provide for the Co
ordination and unified direction" OF
the several defense forces, but not
to merge them; to provide for the
effective strategic direction of the
armed forces and for their operation
under unified control and for theil
Indignation into an efficient team
of land. naval and air forces"
The bill would establish a depart
rnent for the Air Force, alongside the
Army and Navy. All three branches
would be co-ordinated under a Sec.
rotary of National Security, who
would exercise general direction
Any powers not specifically con.
ferred upon him would continue t.
repose in the respective Secretaries
of War, Navy and the new Secretary
OF the Air Force.
The redraft also contains thu
clause already passed on by tn,
committee, to safeguard the pres
emit relative status of the Marine
Corps and of naval aviation, as par
OF the Navy.
Budget Section Added.
Most of the Original structure o.
the bill, setting up National Sc.
curity Council, a Central Intelli.
gence Agency and National Sc.
curity Resources Board, are still ir
the revised draft.
A budget section, added to the
new draft, Is designed to make SURE
Congress will be fully advised of the
fiscal recommendation of the heac
of each branch of the service, as
well as the figures finally approved
by the overall secretary of ma
tional security and the President.
The National Security Council
would be composed of the President
the secretaries of National Security
War. the Navy and Air Force; the
chairman of the National Security
Resources Board, and such other
members as the President may des-
ignate.
The function Of the council woulo
be to advise the President on the
Indignation of domestic, foreign ano
military ro1iriesx