Evening star., 1949-10-01
Secretary Matthews
Denies Navy Will Cut
B-36 Probe Testimony
By John A. Giles

Navy Secretary Matthews denied
today that there had been any
curtailment in Navy plans for
presentations in the congressional
B-36 investigation which resumes
Wednesday.
I'VE have received no word
from committee counsel or any
one else that the hearings will be
restricted when they resume and
we are working in perfect har-
mony with them in what I would
cell pre-trial conferences" the
Secretary declared.
Further there has been no
pressure from above" he con-
tinued. What actions we have
taken have been in an effort to
bring about presentation of the
proper information. at the proper
place and at the proper time"
Crommelin Cautioned.
He indicated that orders toI
Capt. John G. Crommelin, out
spoken critic of uniflcation, that
he refrain from any discussion of
inter-service dissension on a tele-
vision program tonight were taken
with this in view.
Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, Chief
of Naval Operations, issued the
order after Capt. Crommelin had
talked with Mr.. Matthews yes
terday.
The order does not bar the
naval aviator's appearance on the
National Broadcasting Co.'S pro-
gram. Meet the Press" at 10
O'Clock tonight. 1t does require
him to refrain from comment on
"the relationships between the
military departments or the
functions of any of them which,
in the light of existing circum-
stances. be prejudicial to the in
terests Of the United States"
Mr.. Matthews said he could not
say whether Capt. Crommelin,
who recently assailed unification
of the services as a menace to
national security" would testify
when the House Armed Services
Committee resumes its hearings
Wednesday.
Navy Prepares Testimony.
IT am a lawyer by profession
and I believe in being prepared"
said the Secretary. That is just
what the Navy is doing now {
getting prepared to present testi-
mony before the committee.
1--WE have been working all week
on presentations for the commit
tee and we are doing this in con-
juction with the committee coun-
sel," he continued. "As to any
restrictions on what the COM
Hzitte plans to go into-I have
not heard of any changes and
I don't see how they could make
any changes in their plans until
they meet"
Mr.. Matthews said no list of
witnesses had been made up as
yet and he indicated whether
Capt. Croumelin is called would
be up to the committee.
When Capt. Crommelin issued
his blast charging that Pentagon
chiefs were undermining the ma !
tional security by hamstringing
naval aviation, he was subse-
quently transferred to the air war
fare division of naval operations,
without prejudice. He had been
working on the staff of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff. high-level pol
icy-making organization.
Discussion Restricted.
Secretary Matthews later sent
q memorandum to all commands
asking that there be no further
public discussion of the Crom-
melin case after several admirals
had publicly supported the cap
tain's stand.
These and other similar actions,
the Secretary said, have been
taken solely to assure the Navy
of presenting its case at the proper
time and before the proper forum.
The committee first went into
the procurement of the Air
Forces B-36 and concluded that
charges contained in an anony-
nous memorandum were un-
founded. Committee members
also said it would go into the
question of whether cancellations
of the Navy's super aircraft car
rier was a wise decision and other
subjects involving the Navy.