Evening star., 1949-03-29
johnson Orders
Drastic Change in
Pentaqon Setup
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~'ssNSVH SSsN
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policy that argument will be kept
between us and I'll probably
lose It,"
Army to Lose Space.
Gen. McNarney, who attended
the news conference, said the
Army would lose some Of. its
Pentagon Office space under the
new program. He said that the
Army would be given 40 per cent
of the space, the Air Force Is per
cent. the Navy 13 per cent and the
Office of the Secretary of Defense
13 per cent.
The plan will assure space of a
suitable character for all top-level
military elements, the general said
Mr.. johnson pointed out that
many instances existed in which
policy formulating groups, who
should be working in close physical
proximity, were actually working
in separate and widely scattered
buildings.
The Defense secretarys Office
and associated boards and stats
will be centralized around the
river entrance on the second and
third floors and Mr.. johnson will,
take over the Office space now oc-
cupied by Army Secretary Royal
1t is the largest single Office suite
in the building.
Appointments Considered.
The Army Offices will be located
primarily on the first. second and
third floors at the Mall entrance
and on the south side Of the huge
building. Mr.. Royal will move
to the Office now occupied by Mr.
Johnson directly over the Mall en-
trance.
Navy Offices will be concen-
trated on the fourth and fifth
floors at the Mall entrance and
on the west side. The Air Force
will occupy the fourth and fifth
floors at the river entrance and
on the east side.
The move will mean that the
Army will be required to move
more of its non carbohydrates ac-
tivities to the main Navy Building
on Constitution avenue and to
other locations.
Mr.. johnson also issued today q
directive continuing all appoint
ments to special committees and
special and regular positions in
the Once of the Secretary of De-
fense made by his predecessor,
James v. Forrestal. He COM
mented at the conference that he
would not bring into the military
establishment any large number
Of new employees.
President Pledges Support.
Mr.. johnson took Office with
the praise Of President Truman
and q promise from his Com
mander in Chief to give complete
cooperation as far as it Is pos
sible for me to give it to him" in
the big task of fostering the unifl-
cation Of the armed FORCES. {,
r. Tbs Presidents pledgewas mkde
at & dinner at the Mayf1ower last
night when some $50 friends
Joined to honor the new Secretary
IN turn. Secretary johnson d.
c1ared that he would Garry .nr-
ward the complete. unification of
the services. with his goal to make
this country so strong that the
thing we call peace-which you
seek, Mr.. President-will be peace
not only for the United States,
but for all the world"
Forrestal Gets DSM.
In philosophical mood, Mr..
Truman told the gathering that
I'VE are faced with q great many
problems, both in this hemisphere
and in the eastern hemisphere.
We have been trying to meet
those problems to the best Of our
ability, and I believe that when
the history Of the years after the
war are written effectively and
not politically. that we will have
to be ashamed of or
sorry for"
The President expressed the
that Secretary john
son will have an outstanding
career" in his new post. and said
he felt that Il am succeeding"
in building up q cabinet capable
Of coping with the big problems
the Government faces.
Mr.. Truman also had warm
words Of praise for Mr.. Forrestal,
on whom he bestowed the Dis
tinguished Service Medal at a
White House ceremony late yes
terday afternoon.
Today, Mr.. Forrestal was given
a silver bowl by members of the
House Armed Services Committee.
Chairman Vinson and other men,
bers paid tribute to Mr.. Forrestal's
public service.
Texas. LOUISIANA, California and
Oklahoma rank In that order in
the production of natural gas.
nHT"H IL