Evening star., 1949-10-25
By John A. Giles

Defense Secretary johnson held
a huddle today with top civilian
officials of the Defense Depart
ment to discuss lessons to be
learned" from the House Armed
Services Committee investigation
of the bitter interservice unifica-
ton row.
A cryptic announcement Of the
meeting came just a few minutes
before Mr.. johnson and Navy Sec
retary Matthews were scheduled
to call on President Truman at
the White House.
Hurry-up calls went out to
Puerto Rico, meanwhile, to get
Gen. Vandenberg. Air Force Chief
of Staff. back to Washington for
the first regular meeting Of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff since their
public row over unification. The
meeting originally was set for 8
am. but was rescheduled for 2
pm. in the hope that Gen. VAN
denbers could return in time.
With Secretary Johnson at the
Pentagon meeting this morning
were Secretary Matthews and
Deputy Defense Secretary Early.
Army Secretary Gray and Air
Secretary Symington were out Of
the city. They were represented
by Acting Army Secretary Tracy
Voorhees, and Acting Air Secretary
Eugene Zuckert.
Nothing More to Be Said.
The announcement of the meet
ing said:
Secretary of Defense johnson
met with Deputy Secretary of De-
tense. the Secretaries and Acting
Secretaries Of the Army, Navy and
Air Force and the Assistant Sec~
retaries Of Defense today for a
general discussion of the lessons
to be learned as q result Of tho
hearings Of the House Armed
Services Committee concluded
last week. There is nothing fur
ther to be said at this time"
The Assistant Secretaries Of
Defense are Wilfred Mcneil and
Marx Leva.
The meeting at the White House
was to mark the first time Mr..
Matthews had talked with Mr..
Truman since the House commit
tee completed its hearings on the
Army-Air Force-Navy charges and
countercharges. Mr. Truman has
refused public comment on that
battle.
It has been the custom in the
past for one of the three service
secretaries to accompany Mr..
johnson to the White House each
week and this was Mr.. Matthews
turn to make the trip.
No Comment on Denfeld.
Although Mr.. Matthews refused
to discuss in advance what he
would say to the President, it was
considered certain that the de-
fense row would come up.
Neither would Mr.. Matthews
comment on increasing reports
that Admiral Denfeld would be
asked to step out as Chief Of Naval
Operations. Friends of Admiral
Denfeld have made it plain that
he will not step aside unless he is
asked to do so by the President.
Most of the principals in the
House investigation into defense
policy were scheduled to be on
hand for the joint chiefs meet
ing. Besides Admiral Denfeld
and Gen. Vandenberg, they are
Gen. Bradley, the chairman Of
the joint chiefs and Gen. Collins.
Army chief of staff.
Bradley Comment Criticized.
Admiral Denfeld was one Of
the admirals who told the COM
mittee that sea power was being
weakened in the Pentagon to the
detriment of national security.
Gen. Bradley, who offered the
main rebuttal argument for the
Army and Air Force, was taken
to task for one of his remarks
yesterday by House Majority
Leader Mccormack.
Referring to the admirals, the
general had declared: This is no
time for Fancy Dams who won't
hit the line with all they have on
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