Evening star., 1949-10-10
Navy Rolls Up Some Supporters
In Defense Investigation Furor


In connection with the Navy dissension
now being aired over radio and in the news
papers, one serious question might properly
be asked the American citizen and taxpayer
who invariably is given as little 1nforma-
tion as possible concerning the honest status
of departmental affairs, but who always Is
called upon to foot the bills. II RuSsla' OF
any other belligerent power, should attack
the United States tomorrow who would you
select to defend your person, your FANNY
or your property-Capt. John G. Crommehn,
or our Secretary of the Navy Matthew's?
Citizen and taxpayer, consider this seriously
It would seem instead Of needed prepared
ness as is generally acknowledged, tne uh-
fortunate country must again oe supJecteo
to another departmental squaople. MAYBE
by the time our efficient. well-tralned naval
hero, Secretary Matthews, has actually ac-
ouired his sea legs. the whole controversy
will have passed into history
JONATHAN H. BROWN.
To the Editor Of The Star:
To an ordinary taxpayer who views the
Russians with the A-bomb poised ready 10
strike at the first favorable opportunity on
one hand; and who also views the sad state
into which "uniflcation" has put our de-
lenses the outlook is positively frightening.
It seems that what we need IN the near
future is national defense in every way,
shape and form, regardless OF cost. Nothing
will give me any comfort or sense OF secur-
ity until I am certain that the Air Force,
the Army, and the Navy are each one fully
equipped with all of the trained men. wea-
pons, planes. ships. rockets, A-bombs or
anything else they need or might possibly
need in the foreseeable future. I am quite
certain that the Russians will not be de-
tered one moment by either balanced
budget or "unification" on paper. And it
is becoming more obvious each day that
"unification' is going to give us unbalanced
national defense with serious risk of ma
tional disaster.
It seems to me that the only way to get
national defense is to set up each service
as an entirely separate and independent de-
partment. Let each one 60 before the Con-
gress and state freely and openly what it
needs in terms of men, material, weapons
and money. I think the Navy should have
its own air arm and Marine Corps. Also.
the Army should have its own air arm for
tactical support Of ground troops. lie. fighter
planes, tactical bombers, transports. etc.
Likewise the Air Force should have its stra-
tegic bombers plus any other type Of plane
required in support Of its strategic bombers.
Why limit any one OF the services? Sup
pose there is some overlapping and duplica-
tion? I'll be quite delighted to pay higher
income taxes. sales taxes, buy bonds, CT
anything else that's necessary to get some
real defense. But for heavens sake let's
hurry. Let's throw 'unihcation" in the ash
can and get some fire power. L. E. D.
To the Editor OF The Star:
With the resumption of the B-S6 investi-
cation, feel it timely that more news be
written as to the probable merits of the
various weapons that might be used in
future war for the defense and of1ense of
this. our country.
Since all servicemen have been silenced,
it seems necessary for others Of us to put
our views before the public. For, in the
fnal analysis, the people should and must
be the judge.
Let us forget the so-called anonymous
letter and any smear propaganda one way
or the other, and think only of what is i'm
portant to America and its people. What
have we and what is needed for best defense
and offense II called for?
There seems to be great question. Great
,uestion in the Navy's mind. great question
in the Naval Aviation mind, great questlon
in the Army's mind, great question IN tn1
Air Force mind, great question in poltlcal
minds and a great question In our tae
peoples mind. =. .,;. tn
vestipation be a true investigation, let al
the facts be brought out. think OF IL In
military terms and most important tnlnk
of it in terms of what 1t can mean III pio-
lection for these United States:
I feel that this Investigation and It's OUT
conoe are more important than the man on
the street knows-important to MIN, MS
family and his country. If any OF us reiuse
to bother our minds with the particulars
now we will have no right to complain later
If the outcome produces less than the ultl-
mate of American strength.
IF taxpayer is told or reads that through
merger he will save money and nave more
eficient Armed Forces, plus better under-
standing between the forces, ne naturally
wishes it. But is this true?
II the man on the street is told and reads
that we no longer have need of mighty
Navy or it's airplanes, but that our Air Force
planes can accomplish all at great savings,
he is for this also. It makes sense to wish
adequate protection at great saving VINO
knows it to be true?
The protection of this country is far too
important to 60 on any one groups say
simply because they say it, or any one mans
say so merely because he thinks 1t, and this
is certainly no time for any OF our experts,
military or otherwise, to be silenced or 10
stand in any fear of speaking.
If person has a very i'll child. the doctor
fears for its life but has two expensive
medicines either of which may be the child's
salvation, or maybe the combination OF the
two. Should or would the doctor dispense
with one, due to expense, or should the fam
ily let him until the child is completely out
of danger, and there is no longer question?
In like manner this may be grave cross
roads to the future Of our country.
Can the B-36 leave American soil, go to
its objective, deliver its bombs and return
to this country if need be? Remember we
want none of our boys to have to take one
way trips. We are not suicidal by nature.
Does the history of other countries show
that q General Staff has been successful to.
these countries?
May the people Of this country recognize
their resnousihility and ohligation and take