Evening star., 1949-10-14
Appointment of Civilian Board
7oSettle Service Row Suggested
By Chris Mothisen

/ AoPSCS0 0A1ot lSoASSAlO dA4ioll
name a civilian board to settle
bitter differences in the armed
services over defense policies de-
spite statement by Mr.. Truman
that he sees no reason to change
fundamentals of the policies.
The suggestion came from
Representative Price of Illinois
and Brooks of Louisiana. both
Democrats. They offered 1t after
the Navy's operating chief. Ad-
miral Louis E. Denfeld had wound
up the Navy's presentation Of its
concept of war strategy now held
in top defense circles.
Policy Called Adequate.
Mr.. Truman. at his news con-
ference yesterday, refused to COM
ment on Admiral Denfeld's charge
that the Navy is mot accepted in
full partnership in the national
defense structure. The admiral
had made the charge while testi-
flying earlier in the day before the
House committee investigating in
the inter-service controversy.
Mr.. Truman pointed out that
defense planning is fixed by the
President after consultation with
the civilian heads of the services
and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The
present policy, he added, is
adequate.
Meanwhile. the committees
public hearing on Mayfair Force
differences over defense RESPONSE
bilities and methods went into a,
week end recess before new fire.
works displays next week.
Comments Hearten Navy.
Comments by number OF COM
mittee members, including Chair
man Vinson and Representative
Short, Republican. of Missouri,
the ranking Republican member,
have given the Navy new hope
that further reductions in its
strength, particularly in its air
arm. will be blocked.
Some top officers even see a
good prospect of revival OF the
$185. 100000 flush deck carrier
project, Cancelled by Defense Sec
retary johnson last spring after
a tWo-to-one recommendation
against the big ship from the
joint chiefs of staff. Admiral
Denfeld, who, as Chief of Naval
Operations, sits as the Navy men,
ber. dissented from the decision.
Representative Anderson, Re-
publican, of California, introduced
a bill in the House yesterday to
rename the big carrier the James
". Forrestal. in honor of the late
first Secretary Of Defense if con-
struction is resumed.
He said the hearing indicated
Congress may take whatever
action seems necessary" to recon-
mence construction of the ship,
which was to have been called
the United States.
Admiral Denfeld gave the COM
mittee report of sharp and per-
sistent differences in high de-
fense councils. He told of being
overruled repeatedly by an Air
Force-Army coalition and de-
clared:
THE Navy is gravely concerned
whether it will have modern
weapons In quality and quantity
to do the job expected of the
Navy at the outbreak Of fu-
ture." .....-, .,....
Says Carrier Forces Ignored.
He said he agreed fully with
previous Navy witnesses that
strategic bombing by the Air
Forces atom bomb b-carrying B-36s
is being over emphasized in de-
fense planning and the i'm
portance Of fast carrier task forces
ignored.
This seaborne striking power
with air units sis so little COM
pretended by the other services
that the Air Force has argued
for its complete elimination,
while the Army has recommended
its serious reduction"
The Navy's views as to what it
requires to do its job are getting
short shrift in joint staff delib-
erations, according to Admiral
Denfeld's account.
"Uniflcation processes have not
thus far been in accord with
either the spirit or the concept"
he said.
In biting words but restrained
voice, Admiral Denfeld charged
he has had to contend with a.
steady campaign to make basic
changes in the defense RESPONSE
bilities assigned the three services
by the Key West agreement of
April, 1948, and to "relegate the
Navy to a convoy and aEti-sub-
marine service"
While there is law saying
that there shall be naval aviation
and there shall be a Marine
Corps" he said, land although
there have been public utter
ances from our sister services that
there shall be naval aviation and
a Marine Corps, in the councils
OF . the Department of Defense
the opposite view is often evi-
dent. ="
If the funds to sustain them
are choked of or the composition
OF the Navy is determined by a
two-to-one vote regardless of
funds available, then naval avia-
ton and the Marines will be out
OF service as surely as if there
had been no law"
The Marines will have their say
when the hearing is resumed at
10 am. Monday. Then the COM
mittee will listen to Air Force
officials, Gen. Eisenhower and
Gen. Omar Bradley. chairman
of the Joint chiefs and. finally.