Evening star., 1949-08-09
.lovett Testifies
He Knew Of No
.b-36 Influence
Wartime Assistunt
Secretary Is First
Witness at Hearing
By Chris Mathisen

Robert A. Lovett, wartime AS
sistant Secretary of War for Air,
declared emphatically before the
House Armed Services Committee
today that he knew of no efforts
by fnanciers to influence the
award of contract for B-36
heavy bombers to Consolidated
Vultee Aircraft Corp.
Mr.. Lovett was the first witness
as the committee opened its inves-
tigation of military aircraft pro-
curement and, specifically, of how
the B-36-a six-engined, cigar
shaped heavyweight-came to be
the Air Forces chosen instrument
for long-range strategic bombing.
The inquiry was touched off by
a speech in the House last May
by Representative Van Zandt, Re-
publican, of Pennsylvania, men,
ber of the Armed Services Com
mittee. Mr.. Van Zandt said he had
heard disturbing reports" con-,
corning behind-the- scenes influ-
ence in connection with the B-36
procurement program.
Reviews Early Phases of War.
Speaking without notes, IIr.
Lovett gave the committee today
a 15-minute review of the early
phases. of World War II, with
places and dates.
1t was obvious in the winter of
1e41-42, he said, that if the
United States were drawn into the
conflict 1t would have to reach
the prime. enemy-Germany-
over the bodies Of our fallen
friends"
Military planners were well
aware, he continued, that Ger
many had started q succession of
wars Of aggression which were
fought on territory other than Its
own. ~ ~ <@
1T was obvious that the re.
quirements necessitsted an extern
sion in ranges of all striking
forces" Mr.. Lovett recalled.
In April. 1941, the air planners
in the War Department requested
design studies from Consolidated
and the Boeing and Douglas com.
panies for a bomber capable of
carrying a 10,QD0-pound load TO-
900 miles, he said.
The Northrup Aircraft Corp. also
was asked to accelerate its study
of the flying wing" type of heavy
bomber. he added.
On the basis of rough designs
submitted by the first three firms,
Mr.. Lovett explained, Consolidated
was given a go-ahead in August,
1941. on the basis of a decision
reached at a meeting of War De-
partment officials concerned, at
which he presided.
In 1943 this was followed by
an order to the company for 100
B-36s.
Asked About Influence.
At this point, Joseph B. keenan,,
special counsel for the committee,
asked If Mr.. Lovett had been aware
at this time of any efforts to exert
influence on the part of ANY bank
ers or Industrial leaders. such as
Floyd Odlum or Victor Emanuel"
Absolutely not, Mr.. keenan,"
Mr.. Lovett replied. 7 never heard
of Mr.. Odlum at that time-or
Mr.. Emanuel"
Mr.. Odlum. head of Atlas Corp,
which controls Consolidated Vul-
tee, and Mr.. Emanuel, chairman
of the Aviation Corp, which for
merly controlled it. are expected
to testify later in the hearing.
General Confirms Account.
Mr.. Lovett was followed by Maj.
Gen. Frederick H. Smith, jr., Air
Force programming officer, who
confirmed his account of how the
decision was reached to undertake
development of an .extreme-range
bombing plane. Gen. Smith car
ried the story forward to July
1945, when, he said, procure
(See B-36. Page A-3.)