Evening star., 1950-03-28
Defense Budget Boost
Seen i Eisenhower
Believes Il Is Needed
By the Associotsd Press

DcIIcvE II - Netueu
BY the Asseeiotsd Press
Economy advocates conceded
today Gen. Eisenhower has only
to say the word and Congress
probably will respond with a
boost in military spending.
This viewpoint was made clear
by interested Senators despite the
statement in Key West, Fla, yes
terday by Secretary Of Defense
johnson that the Nations de-
lenses are adequate" for the
present.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat,
Of Arkansas, who headed an un-
successful drive last year to cut
President Truman's budget 10 per
cent. told reporter that if Gen.
Eisenhower thinks the military
setup needs more money he will
vote for it.
That's a matter of life and
DEATH" Senator Mcclellan said.
II think we can make substantial
cuts elsewhere in the budget but
if Gen. Eisenhower says that our
defenses are not being kept up
adequately, Congress is almost
sure to do something about it"
Byrd Hopes for Clarification.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, said he hopes that when
the general testifies before Sen
ate Appropriations subcommittee,
probably tomorrow, he will clear
up what the Virginia Senator said
he thinks may be a misconception
about the generals recent speech.
Gen. Eisenhower said in his ad-
dress that this country has dis
armed to the extent-in some di-
rections even beyond the extent
that I, with deep concern for her
present safety, could possibly ad-
wise"
Senator Byrd said he thinks
the general was not necessarily
talking about the $13,028, ,000, ,O0O
military budget for the year be-
ginning July /. He suggested Gen
Eisenhower may have been speak
ing of the speedy rehabilitation
after the war and its after ef-
fects on the defense setup.
Senator Ferguson, Republican
OF Michigan, a member of the
subcommittee, said this seemed to
be borne out by Mr.. Johnson s
statement at Key West that Gen
Eisenhower had approved the new
budget total before leaving as
chairman of the Joint Chiefs OF
Staff.
johnson Defends Stand.
The Army Secretary's entrance
into the budget discussion came
at the Little White House" yes
terday. where he had flown fol
a brief conference with President
Truman before going to the At.
lantic Pact Defense Ministers
Conference at The Hague.
At press conference Mr.. John
son was asked whether he believed
the country had disarmed too far
II do not" he said fatty.
II think that the Nations de-
tense, as worked out in the bud
get, are sufficient unto the mo-
ment."
Mr.. johnson said he did not
intend to engage in q controversy
with Gen. Eisenhower, but that
he simply wanted to offer his opin-
ion as to the adequacy of the pro-
gram.
He said he had not talked with
Gen. Eisenhower since his speech,
and since the general is to testify
before the Senate Appropriations
Committee concerning his fears
that the Nation has disarmed too
far, it would not be fair to confer
with him now"
Secretary of the Army Gray
said in a Detroit speech last night
that undue emphasis may have
been put on Gen. Eisenhower. S
statement.
Mr.. JohnSon's announcement
that Stephen Early will stay on as
Undersecretary found approval in
Congress, where Mr.. Early is well
known and liked by most mem
bers. Mr.. johnson said the Pull
man Co., which Mr.. Early serves
as a vice president, had granted
him an indefinite extension OF
leave.