Evening star., 1949-04-03
New Undersecretary
OF Defense Created
As Truman Signs Bill
BY John A. Giles

BY John A. Giles
President Truman yesterday
signed a bill creating a new post
of Undersecretary of Defense and
at the same time renewed his
request for changes in the uniflca-
tion act to strengthen the powers
of the Defense Secretary.
In other defense developments:
l. Secretary OF Defense johnson
began his reorganization of the
military establishments system of
boards and committees by abol-
ishirlg nine as useless.
2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff
were awaiting a call for meet
ing, probably this week. with Mr..
johnson and Gen Eisenhower in
Key West, Fla. to discuss missions
of the Army, Air Force and Navy
and find out Mr.. Johnson's con
yictions" concerning them. The
date of the meeting depends on
the conditions of Gen. Eisenhower
who Ia recuperating there from a
stomach ailment.
Sought BY Truman.
Creation Of the $l0,000-a-year
post of undersecretary was one OF
the measures asked by Mr.. 1ru-
man to increase the authority OF
the Defense Secretary.
The new official. when ap-
pointed and sworn into office, Will
relieve Mr.. johnson OF some OF
his administrative duties. He Will
rank ahead Of the Secretaries OF
the Army, Navy and Air Force and
will have full authority to act IN
the absence of the Defense Secre-
tary.
In signing the bill, Mr.. Truman
called attention to other changes
in the unification act which he
has requested. These would con-
vert the defense establishment in
to an executive department and
provide the Defense Secretary
with appropriate authority and
with civilian and military assist
ance to carry out his RESPONSE
bilities.
In abolishing the nine inter-
departmental groups, Mr.. john
son was carrying out a purpose ne
expressed at q news conference
last Tuesday. At the time he said
there were 800 such military
boards and committees - too
damn many for efficiency's sake" )"
Examination Urged.
The nine eliminated were found
either to have completed their
missions or to be duplicating
functions performed by other
boards or agencies.
At the same time, Mr.. johnson
asked the Secretaries of the Army.
Navy and Air Force. the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and the chairmen
of the Research and Development,
Munitions. and Personnel Policy
Boards each to review their COM
mittee systems. oh q
The three secretaries also were
asked to review agencies outside
the military establishment on
which, their departments have
representation and report to the
Defense Secretary by May / on
which may be eliminated.
MIR. johnson also said that the
20 committees created by public
law or executive order would be re-.
viewed ssss &,x.s.,ss.sS:s 80
The nine groups ordered, dis
solved were:
Joint Merchant Vessel Board,
formed in 1917 to survey vessels
to determine their suitability for
military use. The functions were
found to be within the province
Of the Joint Chiefs.
Air Transport Committee.
Joint Army-Navy Air Transport
Committee, whose functions are
performed by the Military Air
Transport Service.
Joint Amphibious Equipment
Board, formed in 1945 to CO.
operate testing and evaluation of
amphibious equipment. 1t has
been inactive since July. 1946.
Joint ,Army-Navys Amphibious
Warfare Committee. established
in 1943 for wartime purposes. 1t
never held a meeting.
Civilian Components Inactive
Duty Training Facilities Board,
established in 1947 to study econ
omies in joint use of facilities. It's
report was made March Is. 1948.
Joint Army-Navy Post Ex-
change Ships Service Stores
Working Committee. established
in 1947 to standardize operational
procedures. Its functions ! were
transferred to the Munitions
Board.
Armed Services Deterioration
Prevention Committee. whose