Evening star., 1950-09-10

or the senate Committee on Al
Korean crisis. 1t is nonetheles
committee that functioned from
March, 1941 to 1948, for investi.
cation of the national defense
program.
BY it's own admission, and un-
questionably with the paterna
blessing of former Senator Harry
S. Truman, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, who headed the war investi-
eating committee, from March
1941, to August, 1914, this cur
rently created subcommittee pro-
posed to:
"Reactivate the Truman Com
mittee which showed so effectively
what a legislative investigating
committee could do during a
grave emergency when close
understanding between the legis-
lative and executive branches
is essential to the national secu-
rity."
But the new seven-member
group, headed by Senator john
son, Democrat, of Texas, is no
longer a fledgling, if indeed it
ever had time to enjoy prelimi-
nary pursuits.
The impact of it's first interim
report" published last Thursday
has been heavy on Capitol Hill.
Moreover, the subcommittee ac-
tivities that prompted the recon-
mendations of that report have
stirred many administrative agen-
cies into an explosive chain reac-
ton in recent weeks.
Primary Objective
It is no disrespect to the Tru-
man Committees methods and
achievements to observe that the
preparedness subcommittee al
ready has set something of q
record in blending unanimity
quietness, scope and the one-two
punch.
The effectiveness of it's first re-
port-whether or not all its find
ingS were correct-was doubly
compelling because the subcom-
mittee and its still small staff
have worked with a minimum OF
words and covered a vast area
since last July II.
The subcommittee prime job
at the moment, as explained by
Chairman Johnson, is to rid the
Government-and that means
Congress, too-of the "siesta psy-
chology."
It's main operations to date have
dealt with proposals for conserv-
ing and developing the supply of
natural and synthetic rubber and
with putting the surplus property
disposal system In line with ma
tional emergency demands. It is
concerned not merely with the
Korean situation, but any possible
kind of future war, hot or cold
military or economic, declared or
undeclared.
The subcommittee, despite its
youth, and Notwithstanding its
fondness for comparative quiet
cannot be accused of hiding its
light under the Capitol dome.
Facts discovered by the SUBJ
committee in its short existence
has justified its creation" the
members declare. THE improve.
ments in preparedness which have
already resulted from it's activi-
ties show that it must continue
and expand it's efforts"
No Rabbit Chasing
Under the resolution that Gre
ated it, the subcommittee hardl!
can harbor a passion for anonym.
itv It is supposed to report a
least every 80 days to the Senate
Aimed Services Committee on thu
results of its "watchfulness."
Last July the following member
assembled under the chairman
ship of Senator johnson. sponso
OF the resolution by which the full
committee established the Pre-
paredness Subcommittee: Sena
tors Chapman, Kentucky: Kefauv
er, Tennessee, and Hunt. Wyo
ming, Democrats, and Bridges
New Hampshire: Saltonstall
Massachusetts,, and Morse, Ore
gon, Republicans.
I'VE were not created to tell th'
generals and admirals how to fgh
battles, but rather to make sur
that they and their men hav'
what they need to fight those bat
ties" the chairman told them.
4 I'VE will not hunt headlines
Politics will be left at the commit
tee room door. We will strive fol
unanimity. We will see uncolored
Unconditional facts. There will b'
no second-guessing battlefront
strategy We propose to be blum
but not unfair; jealous but no
prosecuting; helpful but not com
promising"
And, as a postscript, anothe,
member assured reporters tha
sHe don't want to go rabbit chas
ing"
Even before it was born-or re
born, as the case may be-the sub
committee had a large slice o
work cut out for it.
Surplus Sales Stopped
The surplus disposal program
had become a problem befor
Korea made 1t acute. The rub
Der supply had aroused consider
able concern. Senator johnson
for instance, urged the Office @
Rubber Reserve in the RFC earl
Y..1.. l. A~I~~ 81 a~I