Evening star., 1947-02-26
Congress Gets
Armed Service
Merger Plan
Truman Bill Sets Up
Defense Secretary,
Separate Air Force
BY the Associated Press

President Truman sent to Con-
gress today the draft of a pro-
posed bill calling for unification
of the armed forces.
The legislation would set up a
national defense establishment
under civilian Secretary of Ma
tional Defense who would have
cabinet rank.
The legislation would bring under
the defense establishment equally
important departments of the Army,
the Navy and the Air Force.
Each of the three branches of the
Armed services would have a secre-
tary to direct its activities as an in
dividual unit. The three secretaries
for Army, Navy and Air Force-in
turn would operate under direction
of the Secretary of National Defense.
Only One of Cabinet Rank.
While all four secretaries would be
subject to confirmation by the Sem
ate, the White House said only the
Secretary of National Defense would
have cabinet rank.
The President, in letter submit
ting the proposed legislation, in
formed President Pro Tenn. Vanden-
berg of the Senate and Speaker
Martin of the House: e
"It is my belief that this sug-
gested legislation accomplishes the
desired unifcation of the services
and I heartily recommend it's enact
ment by the Congress.
The draft, entitled National Sc
curity Act of 1947," was completed
by Clark M. Clifford, the Presidents
special counsel, after consultations
with the Secretaries of War and
Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
all of whom, Mr.. Truman said, ap-
proved the bill.
Under the measure the United
States Air Force would be estab-
lished under the Department of the
Air Force, to which would be trans
ferred the Army Air Forces, the Air
Corps of the United States Army
and General Headquarters Air
Force (Air Force Combat Com
mand).
Air Force Chief on Staff.
The President would appoint, sub
ject to Senate confirmation, chief
of staff of the Air Force for a term
of four years. The functions of the
commanding general of the Air
Force Combat Command, the chief
of the Air Corps, and the command
ing general of the Army Air Forces
would be transferred to this chief
of staff.
The legislation sets up within the
national defense establishment the
joint chiefs of staff, to be made up
on the chief of staff of the United
States Army. the chief of naval
operations, the chief of staff of the
United States Air Forces, and the
chief of staff to the commander in
chief "if there be one"
The joint command would act as
principal military advisor to the
President and the Secretary of Ma
tional Defense, preparing strategic
plans and providing for strategic
direction of the military forces.
While the secretaries of the Army,
the Navy and the Department of
the Air Force would function under
the overall direction of the secre-
tary OF National Defense, the legis-
latiop provides that any of the three
may appeal directly to the Presi-
dent, after informing the National
Defense secretary of any matter
he wishes to take up with the White
House.
Sets Up War Council.
Other provisions of the legisla-
ton includes:
l. Creation of War Council
made up of the Secretary of National
Defense, as chairman, with power
of decision; the Secretaries of the
Army, the Navy, the Air Force,
the Chief of Staff of the Army, the
Chief of Naval Operations and the
Chief of Staff of the United States
Air Forces.
2. A joint staff, under the joint
chiefs of staff, to be made up of
not exceeding 100 offers to be drawn
in equal numbers from the Army,
Navy and the Air Force, operating
under director to be appointed by
the joint chiefs of staff.
8. The establishment of a NUM-
tons board to coordinate industrial
procurement. production and distri-
button, including Standardization of
specifications and to prepare esti-
mates of potential production, pro-
(See MERGER, Page A-7D