Evening star., 1947-09-28
Brewster 10 Disband
Committee, but Urges
War Plan for u. ).
BY tho Assoeioied Press

Chairman Brewster of the Senate
War Investigating Committee said
yesterday the nearly seven years
Of constant Investigations and hear
ings by the committee may miss
their original goal.
That goal, set by Senator Tru-
man and Bernard Baruch, was to
avoid mistakes and difficulties of an
ineffective organization for war
Senator Brewster told a reporter
my checks indicate we do not have
a new industrial mobilization plan
now"
Sticking to his announced plan to
let the special committee expire
next February, Senator Brewster
said the staff now Is busy transfer
ring uncompleted Investigations and
new complaints ito regular Senate
committees"
Only Three Hearings Left.
Between now and February I of
next year, Senator Brewster said
only three public hearings are
planned:
l. Completion of the controversial
and sensational probe into some
$50 100000 worth Of wartime air
plane contracts given to Howard
Hughes, Hollywood film producer
and aircraft designer. Senator
Brewster said these hearings are
completely in the hands" of a
subcommittee headed by Senator
Ferguson, Republican, of Michigan,
who has asked witnesses to appear
here again November IT.
2. Resumption of hearings into
complaints that failure of top ad-
ministration officials to contract for
Arabian oil early In the war resulted
In paying excess prices amounting
to millions of dollars.
8. Investigation into the renego-
tiation of war contracts involving
billions of dollars. Senator Brew
ster said this involves protection of
Government expenditures and a
possible means Of recovery of pub
lie money.
Senator Brewster said all OF these
issues are segments of part of the
overall plan of trying to point out
errors and mistakes in organizing
this Nation for a war.
I'VE hope next time to do better
If there is q next time," Senator
Brewster said.
Committee Formed In 1941.
He recalled that the COMMITTEES
was formed in March, 1941, under
President Truman, then q Missouri
Senator, with the advice of Mr.. Ba-
ruch, financier and adviser Of most
recent Presidents.
Truman and Baruch knew that
thousands Of lives and millions OF
dollars had been wasted in the First
World War because of ineffective
organization" Senator Brewste,
said. I'VE went through much OF
this same pattern in the recent
war"
Senator Brewster said that the
original purpose of Chairman Tru-
man was followed by his successors
including Senators Mead, Demo-
crat, of New York and Kilgore
Democrat, of West Virginia. Sena-
tor Brewster was the first Repub-
lican to head the group when his
party won Senate control in the
November, 1916, election.
1.-THE War Investigating Commit
tee has had a tentative final report
drafted since last July" Senator
Brewster said, but added that actual
formation of mobilization plan
rests with executive officials OF the
Government.
He said he has discussed the need
OF, mobilization plans with James v.
Forrestal, first Secretary of Ma
tional Defense under the new mill
tary unification law.
IF there is another war, we can
not afford to take the IL to 18
months 1t has required to pre-
pare for 1t in the past" Senator
Brewster commented.