Evening star., 1950-08-07
Military
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his agency merely passed these
reports on to other Government
departments without evaluating
them.
Senator Byrd said he is particu-
larly disturbed because American
military leaders apparently
thought the North Koreans had
committed most of their troops to
the fighting 10 days ago but now
find that additional reserves have
been poured into the battle.
Without referring to intelligence
reports, Seantor Tydings, Demo-
crat, of Maryland, said in a week
end radio broadcast that top mil
itary leaders are confident, despite
the evident ability of the North
Koreans to concentrate more and
more troops, that Communist ad-
vances in Korea have been slowed
down.
Weak in Ground Forces.
But Senator Tydings, chairman
of the Armed Services Committee,
added: There's still a long way
to go and there's bloody fighting
ahead"
He also said that the Western
powers, with "a large Omitted
States) stockpile of atomic bombs
as compared with what Russia
likely has," probably enjoy
great predominance over the
SovietS in airpower.
But he said the reverse is true
of ground forces, and that this
country should do all it can to
build up its military manpower.
He said the United States should
persuade friendly Western Euro
pean nations to put on more and
more speed in their rearmament
program" and help them with
Meanwhile in the House Chair
man Vinson of the Armed Services
Committee said he expects the
armed forces to ask for "consid-
erably" more money in January,
$500 million for another
Marine exnanSion
The military budget has scared
in two weeks from $14,679 ,000, 900
to $26, 6,722, 100000.
Marines Have 74,2OO.
The extra half billion dollars
for the Marines would enable the
corps to increase its strength to
174.000, have two fully equipped
combat divisions and an air arm
of 18 squadrons, Mr.. Vinson said.
Latest recruiting figures of
June 80 gave the Marines
strength of 74.200 and they now
have 16 air squadrons.
On July 26 the Navy told the
committee it planned to allow
about $270 million from it's share
of President Truman's recent $10,-
487 900, 900 emergency military re-
quest to stepping up Marine
strength quickly to $4,000.
Mr.. Vinson said that allotment
would enable the Marines to have
one and a half divisions ready
for combat with tanks and guns.
OF the $500 million expected to
be sought in January, $100 mil
lion would go toward equipping
the two additional air squadrons
with planes.
The Government operations
budget for the fiscal year ending
next June 80, still pending in
Congress, contains for the armed
services $13,294, 100000 in cash
and $1.385, 100000 in contract
authority, total of $14,679, ,000,-
900.
$26 Billions Asked.
On July "a Mr.. Truman sent up
his first emergency supplementary
increase for $1O,487 600, 900, and
then last Friday he asked for an
additional $1,556 900, 0,000-a total
SO far of $26,722. 100000 for the
military.
This second emergency supple.
mentary increase includes $17O,-
100000 for additional military
public works. This would go to-
ward covering building projects
already authorized by Congress
Mr.. Vinson said.
He added that the Defense De-
partment might rush up before
Congress recesses a request fol
authorization of additional build.
ing projects. relating to all
fields"
He declined to elaborate, but
said the Defense Department wa.
at work on the matter.