Evening star., 1949-10-05
|Novy Reveals Worth Has Quit
After Probers Demand Custer
CONTINUED From First Page.)

resumption Of hearings by the
House group.
The windup of the B-36 investi-
CATION came quickly after Joseph
B. keenan,, the committees special
counsel, offered a report in which
he stated all pertinent data hao
been presented and the falsity o1
all charges made by Mr.. Worth
had been established. He said he
saw no purpose in further pro-
ceedings.
Then Mr.. Vinson recalled that
the original agenda for the hear
ings also had contemplated con-
sideration of the validity Of the
strategic bombing concept now
held by high defense officials, as
we'll as a determination Of whether
strategic bombers are being given
disproportionate emphasis in over
all planning for national security
Cites Morale Comments.
He suggested that this phase OF
the proceedings be divorced from
the B-36 memorandum investiga-
tion, particularly in view of ire
cent developments" pointing to a
serious crackup in morale OF the
Navy.
Mr.. Vinson referred to the dis
tribution of typed copies of papers
signed by Admirals Denfeld, Rad
ford and Began.
Press association reporters Mon
day night were given the papers
with a stipulation that the naval
source passing them out not be
revealed.
Vote on Move Unanimous.
The House committee action In
closing It's B-36 hearings and de-
Gliding to launch new and broad
inquiry into the integration OF
defense planning under armed
forces unification was taken by
q unanimous vote of the members
present.
Several members refused to go
along with Mr.. Vinson, however,
until he gave explicit assurance
that the Navy would be given full
opportunity to present its views
and that there would be no re-
strictions on the lines of question
ing committee members could
pursue.
There also was a unanimous vote
on a recommendation that Mr.
Worth be fired. Mr.. Vinson asked
for committee expression on
this point and said a vote would
be taken on the balance Of the
B-36 report after it is printed
and committee members have had
an opportunity to study 1t in
detail.
Broad Probe Outlined.
Two Democrats, Representa-
tives Sasscer of Maryland and
Rivers of South Carolina, made
plain that they will interest them
selves particularly in the new
hearings in just what sort OF a
deal Navy and Marine Corps avia-
ton is getting under unif1cation.
Mr.. Vinson said the hearings
would begin at 10 am. tomorrow
and would be open to the public,
except when secret security data
requires that the doors be closed.
The agenda will include ques-
tioning on these matters:
l. Performance characteristics
of Air Force and Navy planes.
2. Role and mission of the Air
Force under defense plans as now
set up. 49,.
b. 3. The effect of the decision to
cancel construction of the super
carrier United States on naval
aviation.
! 4. An inquiry into whether
Joint Chiefs of Staff procedure
permits the weapons of one serv-
ice to be passed on by the others.
5. The Importance and ef-
fectiveness of the strategic bomber
in war strategy.
Hearsay and Rumor.
In recommending an end to the
committees B-36 investigation
which had been in recess since
August 26. Mr.. keenan, said it had
been proved that the innuendos in
the unsigned memorandum. which
Mr.. Worth admitted he had pre-
pared and circulated. were
combination of "hearsay, rumor
and Imagination"
The committee had given Defense
Secretary johnson and Air Sec
retary Symington clean bills OF
health in recessing the hearings
in August after Mr.. Worth had
conceded from the witness chair
that he could supply no firm
facts to support his contentious.
In general. the document
charged that the B-36 had been
chosen as the prime strategic air
weapon despite unfavorable per-
formance data. Further. it al
legged consideration of politics and
personal friendship had resulted
in favoritism for Consolidated
Vultee Aircraft Corp, manufac-
turer of the big plane.
The Navy's investigation of the
disclosure of the admirals letters