Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-22
Quick Senate Approval
OF Tighter Unifieation
Law Seen by Tydings
by the Asseeietsd Press


Maryland yesterday predicted
prompt Senate approval of legis-
lation tightening the armed forces
unification law. The Senate is to
take up the measure tomorrow.
Here is a chance for the econ
omy group TO win real victory, y
Senator Tydings said. He lis chair
man of the Armed Services Com
rnittee, which approved the bill by
D 12-to-1 vote. The House has not
acted.
Estimates by the Hoover Com
mission that a complete overhaul
Of the separate budget and ac-
counting systems of the three
services would save as much as ST.
500, 000, 900 year were discounted
somewhat by the Maryland Sena-
tor. -
However" he said, II feel
pretty certain that we can easily
save three, four or even six hun
bred million dollars a year on
present defense costs, and still
have the same efficiency and de-
tense capacity"
Veterans Pension Bill Up.
On the House side. new veter-
ans pension bill was pulled off the
schedule for this week and the
appropriation for the European
Recovery Program was added.
This comes up Thursday.
The House expects to finish to-
morrow or Tuesday a bill to boost
pay for the armed services by a
total of $400, 100000.
House committees will be work.
Ing on wide assortment Of major
bills. These bills cover:
A national health insurance
program, elimination of poll taxes
and racial discrimination in en-
ployment, higher postal rates, ex-
banded social security, Federal
Aid for education. housing.
Postwar costs of the Army,
Navy and Air Force since the uni
fication law was enacted in 1947
have been running above $751;
900. 000.0 . year.
AS chairman of the Commission
on Government REORGANIZATION,
former President Hoover urged q
complete overhaul Of the separate
Army. Navy and Air Force budget
and accounting methods.
Senator Tydings' committee
added these fiscal reforms of a
series of amendments to the uni
flcation act asked by President
Truman and these reached the
Senate with only one opposing
committee vote.
That came from Senator Morse
Republican. of Oregon. He said
the bill did not 20 far enough
In welding the three separate
services into q single fighting
team.
The legislation contains pro-
visions designed to keep the Ma
rines from being absorbed by the
Army. or Naval aviation by the
Air Force. 1t forbids any transfer
between the three military depart
ments that would affect or change
assigned combatant functions"
In line with recommendations
of President Truman, the measure
would:
/. Give the Secretary Of De-
Tense clear and direct controls
over spending and budgets Of the
three services. F
2. Raise the present National
Military Establishment to status of
a cabinet or executive depart
ment." At the same time the
Army, Navy and Air Force would
be reduced to military depart
ments."
Permanent Chairman.
3. Direct the appointment Of a
permanent chairman for the Joint
Chiefs of Staff who are uniformed
heads of the Army. Navy and Air
Force. He would become, the top
ranking military officer of the
Nation and principal adviser to
the President and Secretary of
Defense on military matters. Al
though he would preside over the
Joint Chiefs of Staff he would not
have a vote or any command au-
thority.
4. Elevate the present Under
secretary Of Defense-the post
now held by Stephen Early. former
aide to the late President Roose-
velt-to Deputy Secretary Of Ma
tional Defense" He would rank
Just ahead of the Secretaries of
Army. Navy and Air Force and
receive $500 q year more than
their $4,000 annual pay. The