Evening star., 1949-10-21
johnson Bars CATERING
1oAny Group sAims
In Defense Program
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Continued From First Page.)
continental bomber, has not yet
advanced as far as it should, and
that 1t is intended that the Navy
will get a chance to familiarize
Itself with the B-36. He added
that this "does not require that a
B-36 be turned over to the Navy"
1919 Problems Recalled.
The committee members listened
tntently as Gen. Marshall, speak
Ing extemporaneously, told them
the problem Of how much money
any service gets In peacetime
always has been a big one. He
said he could recall that when he
had his first staff duty in Wash
lngton in 1919, Army and Navy
leaders were striving for the larger
share of what they knew would
be the reduced funds of postwar
years.
He said he had come to the
view, by observations through
the years, that it was essential
that there be some form OF
unified procedure to give us the
most for whatever number OF
dollars the Congress felt it could
provide for the national defense
It is understandable, he said
that each service will insist its
functions demand the largest
share Of available money. But
unity Is absolutely mandatory
Gen. Marshall declared, and it
must include IAN approach to the
subdivision of funds which has
only in mind the security of the
country"
He said the story of inter-
service rivalry was nothing new
to him because during his service
IS Army Chief Of Staff he was
in the position of exercising
great restraint on the air fellows" "
Doubts Learning of Lesson.
He told the committee that dur
ing his last months as Chief of
Stad he found himself at variance
with many officers Of all services
who felt the country ''had learned
It's lesson" and would be willing
to maintain larger peacetime
- armed forces than in the past.
Gen. Marshall said he told them
their goals were too high and
commented:
when it comes to military ap-
preparations In times of peace,
don't think America will ever learn
Its lesson because the political
pressuresa are tremendous"
Mr.. johnson explained to the
committee that the defense budget
ceiling for the 1851 fiscal year has
been set at $4,000 ,0oo, 900 for
planning purposes $1,400 ,000,-
900 reduction from the original
planning figure for the current
fiscal year.
He said it was highly unusual
for the figure to be mentioned
In advance Of the submission of
the budget to Congress in June
Wants Economies Now.
But I have taken this unusual
step" he said, with the full ap-
proval Of the President, in order
to convey to you the dimensions
OF the problem to which we are
addressing ourselves. In our ef-
fort to maintain a military estab-
lishment Of maximum prepared
ness at the least possible cost"
1t was essential. Mr.. johnson
went on. that economies be started
now, 50 that there would not be
q severe Jolt if the defense estab-
lishment began operating at a
substantially reduced budget at
the beginning Of the next fiscal
year.
II am convinced that the saw
ings Of the magnitude I have men
toned are possible" he said. II
am also convinced that they must
be brought about in the interests
Of solvent America and a De-
partment Of Defense that gives
the taxpayer an honest return for
the tax dollar which he invests in
national security"
He told the committee his econ
omy plans have created just as
much unhappiness in the Air
Force as in the Navy. and. IF you
should think that the Army has
been strangely silent in all of this
hullaballo, I can only say to you
that the Army also feels strongly
that 1t too needs more funds"
Still Opposes Carrier.
As to the Nays particular COM
plant, he said:
II will listen with the greatest
Of attention to what Secretary
Matthews and his advisors have to
say, and will take such action on
the strength Of their presentation
rs the merits of the case may in
dicate."
Concerning the super-carrier
decision, Mr.. johnson quoted
from remarks on the floor of the
House by Committee Chairman
Vinson last April 26, several days
after Mr.. Johnson had decided to
halt construction of the big ship.
I'VE cannot afford the luxury of
two strategic air forces" Mr..
johnson quoted Mr.. Vinson. eve
cannot afford an experimental
vessel, that even without it's air.
craft costs as much as 60 B-3e
long-range bombers.
In statements during the hear
ing Mr.. Vinson has criticized Mr.
johnson for planning to cut armed
forces spending below the amounts
appropriated by Congress-even
before Congress had voted the
funds and without asking per-