Evening star., 1947-03-20

! islation to combine the Army, Navy
and air branches under one cabinet
head.
Senator Bridges, who has opposed
this plan, told Secretary Patterson
he thinks the bill would give tire
mendous powers" to the proposed
defense secretary. Such an official,
he said, could "shrivel" one of the
services by failing to recommend
sufficient funds.
His recommendations could cause
one agency to become extinct" Sen
ator Bridges contended.
Not unless Congress wanted 1t
to-" Secretary Patterson replied
firmly.
| Sees Congress Embarrassed.
Senator Bridges argued that If
Congress attempted to upset the
recommendations of such an official
''the cry would 60 up that we were
interfering with national defense. p"
His recommendation could put
Congress behind the eight the
Senator declared.
Il would regret that embarrass-
ment Senator" Secretary Patterson
said.
Secretary Patterson told the COM
mittee the "old idea of voluntary CO.
operation" between the Army and
Navy received its death blow at
Pearl Harbor."
Secretary of the Navy Forrestal
already has testified favoring the
measure.
During the recent war, MIR. Patter-
son said, some unity was obtained
through scores of Army Navy COM
mittees."
1--WE cannot get effective unity by
reliance on the committee system
alone" he said, explaining the COM
mittees cannot agree on decisions.
avoid Implications, or attain neces-
sary unity in planning and opera
tions.
Single establishment Asked.
Secretary Patterson said the heart
of the proposed merger bill lis
the creation of a single establish
ment' under secretary of national
defense who ''is TO be an executive,
but not an administrator"
1.-The field of national defense is
a single field" he continued. "It
involves the employment of military
forces-ground, sea and air-as
members Of team"
Mr.. Patterson said former
boundaries between sea operations
and land operations" have been
erased by science and invention and
the development of air power.
The simple truth is that air power
does not fit into the old frame of
army and navy" he added.
Mr.. Patterson said his seven years
of experience in the War Depart
ment has convinced him eve will
not have the most efficient and eco
nomincal system of national defense
until we adopt a unified organiza-
ton of the armed forces"
Responsibility Divided.
National defense is now the re-
sponsibility of two separate military
establishments, Mr.. Patterson ex-
planned, each operating virtually
on it's own; each making its own
plans; each setting up its own re-
quirements in manpower, money and
equipment; each carrying out de-
signs in filling those needs
The Secretary recalled that he
urged in previous testimony more
centralized type of organization.
Mr.. Patterson said extended dis
cussions since with Navy leaders
who opposed that plan-"have left
me with the conviction that there
are substantial values in the con-
cept of local autonomy-states rights
or other home rule if you will-in
the three services"
Mr.. Forrestal has told Senators
!. the present bill is a compromise that
/ will assure the Navy's independence
and continuance of its Marines and
| naval air power.
| Chairman Bridges of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, and Sen
Iator Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia,
head of the Senate economy COM
mittee which bears his name, were
Iready with demands for testimony
on specific savings possible under