Evening star., 1949-10-11


-AP Wirephoto.
within less than $3.50 feet from
the blast"
Among ASIA Hiroshima school
children located between 6.562
and 1902 feet from the explosion,
he continued, only II were killed
and 81 injured. or .48 and 2.6
per cent, respectively.
Hole in Ground Safest.
Representative Kilday. Demo-
crat, Of Texas pointed out that
Comdr. Tatom had specified that
the persons standing on the air.
port runway, less than one and q
third miles from the hypothetical
explosion, would be "in the open.
He asked if it were not true that
such a position would be the safest
place. under the circumstances in
as much as building debris would
not bury him.
Comdr. Tatom admitted that
some one standing in the open
would have an advantage over an
occupant Of building. but added:
THE safest place would be in q
hole in the ground"
The technical experts are being
called to bolster the contention
of Admiral Arthur w. Radford,
Pacific Fleet commander and the
Navy's top airmen, that the Ma
tion is dangerously mistaken if 1t
believes it can entrust its defense
principally to s!x-engined B-36s
carrying atomic bombs.
Thereafter, statements from
three feet admirals-William H.
Halsey, Ernest J. King and Chester
w. Nimitz-will be offered.
Johnson Repeats Denial.
Mr.. Vinson would not say when
MIR. johnson would get his oppor-
tunity to defend present defense
thinking in the Pentagon. Mr..
Vinson has asserted top officials
are "out of sympathy" with naval
aviation and want to contract it
drastically with progressive budget
CUTS.
But In an address last night at
the American Federation of La
Dor convention In st. Paul, Mimi,
Mr.. johnson declared that the
Navy will continue to have an
essential and honorable role" in
the Nations defense.
He repeated the denial he made
last June that there is any in
tention to sink the Navy's air
arm or reduce the Navy to a Sec
ond-class role" -,.-
There is "a deep and growing
appreciation for the job Of the
other fellow" among the three
armed services under uniflcation,
he said.
Despite Russia's possession of
the A-bomb, Mr.. johnson said.
he is confident we still hold the
lead" in weapons and can retain
a decisive advantage If the present
pace of development is main
tanned.
Sees Danger to Security.
In his letter to Mr.. Vinson, Mr..
johnson stated that the public
controversy between the Navy and
Air Force could work grave dam
age to our national security"
He recommended that the COM
mittee seek the advice of Mr.. Hoo
yer and Gen. Eisenhower "at the
earliest practicable moment"
Mr.. Vinson would not say
whether the committee would fol-
low the suggestion, but Repre-
sentative Short Of Missouri. rank
ing Republican member, and Rep
sentative Brooks of Louisiana,
senior Democrat next to Mr.. Vim
son. told reporters they would
favor hearing the ex-President
and the general.
Mr.. johnson also asked that the
committee hear from the Joint
Chiefs Of Staff. wrich is made up
of the chiefs of staff of the Army
and Air Force, the chief of naval
operations and Gen. Omar Brad
ley, chairman. Admiral Denfeld,
naval operations chief, is sched-
uled to be the concluding witness
in the Navy's presentation.
Mr.. Vinson said the committee
then will listen to rebuttal testi-
mony. He indicated Secretary of
the Air Force Symington would
be among the witnesses in this
nhaSe