Evening star., 1948-12-16
Defense Setup Under Merger
Deficient, Hoover Unit Reports;
Security Agencies Are Criticized
Committee Finds Busic
Principles Are Sound,
Machinery Improving
By Eroncis P. DoueIos

Commission reported today that
the defense structure of the Ma
ton set up by the act which
merged the armed services is not
working we'll and that there are
deficiencies all along the line"
1t said there is alarming evidence
OF serious inadequacies in the func-
tioning of some of the most i'm
portant security agencies. 1t as
serted also that the military services
are far too prodigal with Govern
ment funds.
The committee, however, said the
National Security Organization
which was set up by the National
Security Act of July, 1S47, is soundly
constructed and that the machinery
of national security Is improving
steadily. It said it believes the mod
ifications it recommends will give
satisfactory results.
The committee of IA making the
report is headed by Ferdinand
Eberstadt. one-time chairman of the
Munitions Board and later vice
chairman of the War Production
Board. Gen. Eisenhower and Ad-
miral Nimitz were among the COM
mittee's 18 advisers and consultants.
Findings Subject to Revision.
It was made clear by the Hoover
commission-the Commission on
Organization Of the Executive
Branch-that the recommendations
by task force" committee do not
necessarily represent the views of
the commission. The committee
recommendations may be modified
or altered in the commissions re-
port to Congress. The report is ex-
pected to be made early next year.
AS the result of its study the
committee found that:
The cost of the military establish
ment-currently about SIS, 900, ,000, 900
q year-is unduly high. The mill
tary budget needs major over
haul"
Interservice rivalries continue to
hamper and confuse sound policies
at many points.
There is lack of clear direction
and Of sufficiently close relations and
adequate coordination among the
several agencies.
Operation Flaws Apparent.
There are weaknesses apparent in
the operation of all the major
agencies.
Inadequate liaison still existing be-
tween foreign policy and national
military power is the subject of
particular concern"
Strategic plans are based on as
sumptions which may or may not
be correct; that the military, in
other words, is planning how to
fight the next war-if this tragedy
should occur-without knowing ex-
actly what we would be fighting for"
Inadequacies in Our intelligence
system are disturbing and there are
also inadequacies in the field of SCI
entific and medical intelligence.
Scientific research and develop
ment are unsatisfactory.
The status of plans for mobiliza-
ton OF the Nations human, material
and spiritual resources in case of
war is cause for grave concern"
The condition of the stockpile of
strategic materials is deplorable.
The present position in regard to
"new and unconventional methods
Of warfare" (atomic warfare) is un-
satisfactory, as are the preparations
for psychological warfare and against
the mass destruction weapons of
biological, chemical and Pathological
war.
Progress in Many Fields.
The committee said:
"A report of this kind necessarily
focuses on deficiencies, but the COM
mittee does not wish the critical
nature of this report to suggest that
1t has failed to note and appreciate
the substantial progress that has
been made in many fields"
Many recommendations are made.
Chief of them is that the authority
OF the Defense Secretary should be
increased. The committee not only
would give him more power, but
would trim the authority of the
Secretaries of the Army, Navy and
Air Force in certain respects.
THE committee has endeavored
to diagnose the major sources of
weaknesses and to recommend GER
tain notifications in organization
Continued on Page A-6. Col Il