Evening star., 1950-03-30
Vinson Plans Speech
For More Air Defense
On Eisenhower Plea
By John A. Giles

The Air Force appeared des-
tined for strengthening today as
House members disclosed plans to
add $647 million to the defense
budget following Gen. Eisenhow-
er's appearance on Capitol Hill.
Chairman Vinson of the House
Armed Services Committee prom
ised a strong speech" pointing
out that this country faces a grave
situation since Russia's atomic ex-
plosion and asking the Appropria-
tions Committee to sponsor ad-
ditions to the defense money bill
II that group refuses to take &C
ton, Mr.. Vinson said he would
act.
The House next week will begin
consideration of the bill calling
for 1921, ,127,O00 In cash and
contract authority for the armed
forces next year.
Eisenhower Sets Figures.
Gen. Eisenhower yesterday told
. Senate Appropriations subcom-
mittee that he would guess" that
around $500 million should be
added to the spending program
to make certain that the 48-group
regular Air Force and the IL Air
National Guard groups are kept
modern and that Alaskan defenses
are strengthened. The House
members figured that about S647
million would do the job, plus
some other changes.
The general, wartime supreme
Allied commander in Europe and
now president of Columbia Uni
versity, told the packed commit
tee room that the Navy's anti
submarine program and Industrial
mobilization plans also should be.
strengthened. He thought that re-
adjustments within the budget IT.
self could take care of everything
except greater modernization of
the aerial forces and Alaskan
defenses.
He was called before the sub
committee hearing ~ to which
other Senators f1ocked in large
numbers-to explain his statement
in New York speech last week
that the United States had dis
armed too drastically.
Eisenhower Explains Stand.
Gen. Eisenhower explained the
fact that the planned Air Force
procurement level would not be
on q heavy enough scale to keep
the 45-groups modern and that
Alaskan defenses were in bad
shape. justified him in making
the statement. However, he ad-
mitted that his statement may
have been too strong and led to
the wrong impression. = 4
The general level OF defense
spending is very nearly correct"
he said. 1--WE are fairly we'll on
the line-the proper line-between
economy and defense expendi-
lures" !
Emphasizing that's a healthy
economy was as necessary to ma
tional defense as huge military
machine, Gen. Eisenhower de-
clared that too excessive expendi-
lures for the armed forces can
not but fail to play into the
hands of the enemy"
Says Soviet Will Respect Power.
While arms are not used often
sively in cold war. he said, not
even cold war can be won with
out them. And he declared that
the stronger Americas military
might is. the more conciliatory
Soviet Russia will be.
War is not thing to be taken
lightly" he said. land they know
It," He added that the Russians
were too logical and too sensible"
to start hostilities now or in the
near future.
While Senator Thomas, Demo-
erat, Of Oklahoma, the subcom-
mittee chairman, indicated that
he thought Gen. Eisenhower had
failed to prove his case, other
lawmakers-including Represent
ative Vinson-said that they
fully agreed with the general.
The Eisenhower supporters said
that testimony before the House
Appropriations Committee already
had shown that despite the fact
that there had been a Russian
atomic explosion and despite the
fact that Asia had been largely
overrun by Communists, this coun-
try was no operating and planned
to operate fewer aircraft than at
any time since active participation
In the last war.
The lawmakers pointed to- the