Evening star., 1949-03-17
House Probers Await
Report on Release
Of Security Data
E Chris Mothisen

Led by Chairman Vinson of the
Armed Services Committee, House
members concerned over publica-
ton of security information were
pressing today for an explanation
of how data on reported United
States air bombing plans in event
Of war with Russia reached print.
Mr.. Vinson said he had asked
Air Secretary Symington for "a
full explanation" of any part the
Air Force may have had in dis
closure of the reputed target
selections.
Meanwhile. complaints about
photographs of atomic installa-
tions published in an Atomic En-
ergy Commission report abated
somewhat. Representative Hin
shaw. Republican, Of California,
q member of the Joint Congress
sional Committee on Atomic En-
ergy, told the House late yesterday
that military authorities had mo
objection" to the publication.
Mr.. Hinshaw said the joint
committee had met with the Mill
tary Liaison Committee to dis
cuss the matter and will consider
1t further at 2:30 pm. today.
Short House Session Today.
The House was scheduled for q
short mo business session today
in observance of st. Patrick's Day.
Completion of action on the TO
group Air Force bill-which was
under discussion when the objec-
tions to recent publications of Sc
curity material began yesterday
was to be put off until Monday.
Representative Marcantonio,
American Laborite. of New YORK
blocked final passage yesterday by
demanding that the bill be read
from an engrossed copy-the final
copy which usually is not prepared8
In advance of the vote.
The bill, which fixes the per-
manent peacetime strength OF the
Army at $4,000 and that, Of the
Air Force at SOP 900, will be called
up again Monday.
Mr.. Marcantonio said he will
try to get the measure sent back
to committee with instructions to
amend it by adding a requirement
that the Air Force spend no funds
with individuals or companies dis
eliminating against any racial or
religious group in employment.
The New Yorker registered the
only vote against the bill when
the House finished debate on it in
committee Of the whole yesterday.
Expected to Seek Roll Call.
He is expected to try for a roll
call vote Monday on his recon-
initial motion to get q showdown
on civil rights. Opponents say
they don't think the required one
fifth of the House members pres
ent will ask for the roll call.
The bill carries no funds, 1t
merely would restate the intent
of Congress on Army and Air
Force, strength. The Air Force
now has So groups. not all at full
strength. President Truman's
budget for the fiscal year starting
July l calls for 48 groups. H.
Disturbed over revelation of Air
Force planning data, Mr.. Vinson
served notice that he will pursue
the inquiry into whether all dis
closures were made with Air Force
approval and whether any secret
information was made public
improperly.
A number of House members,
Including Majority Leader Nc
Cormack, expressed hope that
newspapers and magazines would
refrain from using material OF
significant security value.
Aside from the Air Force bomb
ing data, the members were woT-
ried about the Atomic Energy
Commissions information pol
icies.
Durham Introduces Bill.
Representative Durham, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina, a mem
ber of the Armed Services Com
mittee. introduced bill yesterday
to tighten the check on disclosures
by means Of the Military Liaison
Committee with the commission.
The bill provides for Air Force
representation on the liaison
group. The committee could pro-
test to the Secretary of Defense
LOST.