Evening star., 1950-03-29
Eisenhower 10 Clarity
Disarmament Views
AT Hearing Today
By John A. Giles

Gen. EISENHOWER was scheduled
to explain his statement that the
Nations disarmament has been
too drastic today as members of
Congress expressed willingness to
increase military spending if he
says the word.
The wartime Supreme Allied
Commander in Europe, now presi-
dent of Columbia University, wasi
to testify at closed session of
a Senate Appropriations subcom-
mittee this afternoon.
His testimony was asked after
the general told a New York audi
ence last week that the United
States had "disarmed to the ex-
tent-in some directions even be-
yond the extent-that I, with
deep concern for her present safe
ty, could possibly advise"
Defense Situation More Confused.
The statement from the man
who was largely instrumental in
drawing up the $13 billion defense
budget now before Congress, which
he defended before a House SUBJ
committee only two weeks ago,
only served to further confuse the
legislators and the public as to
whether or not the Nations de-
fenses are adequate.
Perhaps the public will be lett
in directly on Gen. Eisenhower
explanation of the statement to-
morrow night when he speaks at
meeting of Columbia Univer-
sity alumni at the Hotel Statler.
Officials said he was scheduled
to appear there at pm, but it
was not known whether he would
take up the defense spending
question.
Sentiment reappeared on Cap
itol Hill for an increase in funds
for aircraft procurement. Last
year Congress voted funds for ex-
pansion of the Air Force toward
the long-sought 70-group goal,
but President Truman impounded
the money.
The action brought threats on
the House side this year to write
into the law prohibition against
such actions, but so far no such
action has come about.
But the sentiment for more avi-
alton power still exists in Congress
and yesterday Chairman Vinson of
the House Armed Services Com
mittee said amendments would be
offered to the omnibus appropria-
tions bill to increase Air Force and
Naval aviation spending if Gen.
Eisenhower indicates that it is.
necessary.
The budget schedules the opera
ton of $500 Air Force planes and
$500 Navy aircraft next year. This
compares with this years opera
ton of 5000 planes by the Air
Force and 7,45O by the Navy.
Under the 70-group program
recommended by the presidentially
appointed Finletter Commission
two years ago. which has found
such popularity on Capitol Hill, |
the Air Force would have had 12.-
AL active aircraft with 8,100 in
reserve. The same commission |
thought the Navy should operate
5000 planes and mold $500 in
reserve.
The budget calls for the pur-
chase Of 1888 Air Force planes
next year, compared with an Air
Force estimate that 1,760 would /
be needed to keep the scheduled |
48 groups modern. The 70-group
program called for $500 new
planes annually.
Under the budget now before
Congress, BIT Navy planes will be |
bought. The Navy estimates that
1T should have 1,130 new planes
annually and the Flnletter pro-
gram would have called for $3.50
each year.
Meanwhile, Chairman Mahon of
the House Appropriation subcom-
mittee which considered the mill
tary spending program over sew
eral months, said that it did not
present picture that was all black
as far as preparedness was con-
cerned.
IF Gen. Eisenhower does notI
approve the bill as he wrote it,
then it will be surprise to me"
he declared. HE was acting
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff during part of the time this
bill was being drafted. Also he
was called to testify before our
group later and he was frequently
consulted by us for advice. He
indicated he was in agree
ment =.
THE $13 billion in the bill rep
resents all that this Nation can
afford to spend at this time. Gen.
Eisenhower knew that, too"