Evening star., 1949-10-29
Declares Full Use
Would UnbuIunce
Defense Program
(Tert of Truman Statement
on Page A-3.J
By Gornett D. Homer

President Truman today froze
funds voted by Congress to pro-
vide for a 58-group Air Force.
He announced this action in
signing the S15,5S5 1868 ,498 appro-
priations bill for the armed forces.
Noting that Congress increased
funds for the Air Force by more
than $615 100000 above his budg
ct recommendations, the President
said that full use of this would
result in a serious lack of balance
in our defense program and would
require much heavier expenditures
in the future than We now con-
template"
He announced that he is
therefore directing" Secretary of
Defense johnson to place in re-
serve" the amount appropriated
by Congress for increasing the
structure of the Air Force.
Backs S-Group Force.
Mr.. Truman. in his budget rec
concentrations, asked for funds
for 48-group Air Force.
The House insisted on a 56-group
Air Force. The Senate went along
with the Presidents recommended
tions. but finally acceded to the
House in a last-minute compro-
mise just before the last session
of Congress adjourned.
Mr.. Truman said today the
defense program he submitted to
Congress last January was based
on efforts to plan a defense struc-
ture which could both meet our
security needs and be supported by
the country without imposing too
great a strain on the domestic
economy"
Increasing the Air Force struc-
ture above his budget recon- /
mendations, he said, would be
inconsistent with a realistic and
balanced security program which
we can support in peace time and
would interfere with orderly plan
ming for the three services based
on a unified strategic concept"
Mr.. Truman conceded that the
S615 100000 increase this year
would have comparatively little
effect" but said it would have "a
serious effect" in the future be-
cause it merely would be "the first
step in an expanding program
which would have to be supported
by greatly increased appropria
tions in future years"
Sets Peacetime Record.
The military appropriation is
the largest in peacetime history.
The bill finances the Army, the
Navy. the Air Force. the National
Security Council, the National
Security Resources Board and the
Office of Secretary of Defense for
the year ending next June 80.
Its total includes $12,949,562,-
498 in cash and $2,636, 1902 900 in
contract authority for which fu-
ture appropriations may be
needed. /
Here's how the cash is split up: ,
For the Army. 80.644,298.
For the Navy, S4.285. .382,200.
For the Air Force, S4.088, 1886, 900. .
For other military operations,
including the Secretary's Office,
s195,150,O00.
Bill Subject of Hot Fight.
The Air Force gets 81 1892, ,755,- !
900 and the Navy 643.546 900 of
the contract authority.
The bill was the subject of
hot Senate-H House fight over Air
Force funds and stockpiling of
strategic materials that would be
needed in event of war
Fourteen bills. including the new
farm bill, still await action by the
President. He signed the $1,314,-
100000 foreign arms bill late yes
terday. /
Midnight Thursday is the dead
line for action on the measures
left on the White House docket
from the mass of legislation ap-
proved by Congress in its closing
days.
Before munitions shipments
actually can get under way to
most of the countries involved in
the foreign arms-aid program,
they must sign agreements gov
(See MILITARY. Page A-3) !