Evening star., 1949-03-04
Johnson May Receive
Increased Authority
As New Defense Chief
Continued From First PageO

Continued From First PageO
day to meet Mr.. Forrestal after
the weekly cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, it appeared likely
1t Mr.. Johnston will get greater
authority than Mr.. Forretal has
enjoyed.
An exchange of letters between
Mr.. Truman and Mr.. Forrestal
made clear that studies are under
way aimed at STRENGTHENING the
unification set up which has been
criticized both by the Hoover
Commission and Gen. Eisenhower
former chief of staff.
Mr.. Truman also said he would
urge new arms legislation on Con-
gress. but when pressed for de-
tails emphasized that these would
not be made public until the pro-
gram went to Capitol Hill.
Says Three Others Will Stay.
The Forrestal resignation, which
has been in the cards since elec-
ton, took the last member of the
old Roosevelt cabinet out of Mr.
Truman's official family and loosed
new speculation about further
changes.
The President quieted surmiSes
about the possible departure of
the remaining three top men in
the defense establishment-Navy
Secretary Sullivan, Army Secre-
tary Royal and Air Secretary
Symington-by saying fatty that
they were not leaving.
No surprise would be occasioned.
however, should Secretary of Com
merce Sawyer bow out. In quar-
tiers close to the President, it was
said right after the election that
Mr.. Sawyer could be expected to
resign before Mr.. Truman's new
term was up.
The Ohioan, whose selection was
unpalatable to the new Governor
of Ohio, Frank j. Lausche, was
said to have had a brush with
Democratic National Committee
officials over finances during the
campaign. He was reported at one
point to have been too busy to see
National Chairman j. Howard
McGrath and Mr.. Johnson, who
headed the Finance Committee of
the National Committee.
There were indications later
that this situation had been ad-
justed.
Political OvertOne.
The ForreStal resignation also
had political overtoneS. The one
time New York banker, who for
merly was Secretary of the Navy
also stayed on the sidelines during
the campaign. 1t was understood
however, that this was at PreSi-
dent Truman's wish, to keep the
defense establishment out of poll
tics.
Interestingly, while Mr.. For
restal. in common with other
Cabinet chiefs. had rendered a
formal resignation at the outset
of the Truman administration. it
was on another resignation. sub
mitted only Wednesday. that the
President acted yesterday in &C
quiescing with Mr.. Forrestals re-
quest to be relieved March 81.
The customary amenities fig
ured in the exchange, and Mr.
Truman. who told reporters that
Mr.. Forrestal was stepping out
because he wanted to. said the
communications presented the
true picture.
In his reply to Mr.. Forrestal, the
President praised his services; eX-
pressed regret at Mr.. ForreStal' S
departure, and said he accepted
the resignation with less misgiV-
ings because l know you will be
standing by to give advice and
counsel as we 60 forward in the
work of enhancing the national
security"
Senators who must confirm the
johnson nomination expressed re-
gret at Mr.. ForreStals retirement
but gave no indication of opposi-
ton to his successor. Democrats
generally applauded President
Trumans choice.
Tydings Praises Johnson.
Chairman Tydings Of the Sen
ate Armed Services Committee
which will act on the nomination
called Mr.. johnson Exceptionally
well fitted to carry on the work
where Mr.. Forrestal left off" Ma
jority Leader Lucas said the ap-
pointee has all of the necessary
qualifications to do a great job
in the unification program"
Both Senators had high praise
for Mr.. Forrestal. So did Senator
Saltonstall, Republican, of Mas
sachusetts' who said he had the
highest regard and respect" for
the retiring Secretary.
Those seeking an indication of
how Mr.. johnson will get on with
the Army, Navy and Air Force
point to his record as Assistant
Secretary of War during the third
Roosevelt administration.
Worked for Preparedness.
His associates recall him as a
Zealot for preparedness, who
toured every State in the Union
making speeches toward that end
They say he was one of the first
"au minded" secretaries, when he
served as assistant to Secretary
of War Woodring. An early ad-
vocate of big bombers, Mr.. John