Evening star., 1948-04-30
u. ). Vulnerable
ToSurpriseRaid,
Senators Warn
Committee Report
Holds 70 Air Groups
Essential to Safety
By J. A. O'Leory

1le opening pnaSe OF any fu-
ture war would be determined
IN the air, the Senate Appro-
priationS Committee warned to-
day in revealing why it voted,
l6 to l, in favor of building up
the Air Force from IS to TO-
group strength.
The committee report made pub
lie today also asserted that for
the first time the United States
can be attacked without warning
from the air"
There were indications the SEN
ate may have to put off until next
week action on the $3,233,O0O, 900
appropriation recommended in the
report to start the Air Force expan-
sion. The House already has ap-
proved funds for the same purpose.
Chairman Bridges of the Ap-
preparations Committee announced
he would ask unanimous consent to
suspend the rules and take the bill
up today, but Acting Republican
Leader Wherry said he had been
requested to ask for postponement
because l6 Senators were absent.
The postponement is not definite.
but will be discussed in conference
by Senators Wherry and Bridges
this afternoon.
Time Factor Emphasized.
The Appropriations Committee
overrode the administration and
Secretary of Defense Forrestal. who
had urged compromise 66-group
Air Force to maintain a more bal
anced defense structure. Existing
plans contemplate a 55-group Air
Force.
In today's report, however, the
Appropriations Committee called
attention to the time it takes to
build new planes and asserted that
II the spending bill is not passed this
country would have only Al air
groups completely modernized by
1852.
BY that time all National Guard
air units would be operating with
outmoded and ineffective aircraft"
the committee added.
From all evidence presented to
this committee it is our belief that
the initial phase of any future
war would be determined bv air
action" the report continued. "and
for the first time the United States
can be attacked, without warning
from the air. Immediate retaliatory
attack through the air is essential
TO any subsequent successful con-
DUCT OF such war on our part,
After thorough study, this commit
tee agrees with the above military
authority and Advisory Commission
that the 70-group program is the
minimum force required in the i'm
mediate future.
II the international situation
changes for the better, this COM
mlttee can recommend a rescission
OF any unexpended balance of these
appropriations"
! Symington Sees Truman.
Meanwhile, Air Secretary Syming-
ton, who has been advocating a 10
group Air Force, conferred with
President Truman, but told re-
porters afterwards that that issue
was not discussed. He described
his visit as routine.
Mr.. Symington insisted to re-
porters that there were no differ
ences" with the President on the
Air Force issue and emphasized that
he would go along with any program
that is finally adopted.
Senate appropriations group
added S35, 100000 not in the House
bill for the Army engineers. Sena-
tor Green, Democrat, of Rhode Is
land was the only member who stood
by the administration Air Force
compromise.
One Senator said the, bill as it
stands will provide eventually about
1000 Of the most modern combat
aircraft for the land and naval
forces. Here is how the total in the
bill is divided:
The Air Force would get $685.
loo,uoo CASH ana 81 ,o8i ,UuUUUO con-
tract authorization and the Navy
s315 900 900 cash and 1888, 100000 in
contracts.
Secretary Symington told re-
porters the s822OOO,OO0 fund ear
marked for the AirsForce and the
Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics would
add 804 jet fighters and 40 heavy
bombers to the Air Forces during
the next year.
The Armed Services Committees
of both the House and Senate
marked time today on the related
question of how to provide enough
manpower for all branches of the
service-whether by draft, universal
military training or combination
of the two.