Evening star., 1952-02-04
u. 5. Reinforcing
Enw -.
Korea Airpower,
|Loyett 1estifies
Secretary Reserves
Details on Learning
Tuss Man Is Present
Bx J. A. oIeorv

Secretary of Defense Robert E..
Lovett told a Senate committee
today the United States is REIN
forcing its air strength in Korea,
but withheld details for closed
sessions.
He made the statement after
several Senators on the Armed
Services Appropriations subcom-
mittee expressed concern over the
lbuildup of Communist airpower
since the truce talks began last
year.
The discussion began with
Chairman O'Mahoney calling at
tention to statements that the
Russian MIG-15 planes in Korea
are better than anything the U.N.
has there.
Testing Better Aircraft.
Mr.. Lovett said he disagrees
with that viewpoint when all the
factors of comparison are con-
sidered.
"Have we anything better out
side of Korea?" asked Senator
Ferguson. Republican, of Michi-
|gan. The Secretary said there
are better planes in the testing
stage but not yet ready for COM
bat service. He said he could
not discuss in open hearings how
soon they would be ready.
At this point Chairman O'Ma-
honey interrupted to tell Secre-
tary Lovett that there was a rep
|resentative of the Russian news
|agency. Tass. at the hearing,
which was open to the public.
The Secretary said that means
some of the questions must be
reserved for executive session.
Other questions, by Senators Sal
Itonstall Of Massachusetts, and
IKnowland Of California. indicated
that the Appropriations Comrait-
tee is concerned over whether the
production of new planes will go
forward rapidly enough under the
Presidents reduced military
budget Of $50 billion for 1858.
Agrees With SaItonstall.
Mr.. Lovett confirmed a state
|ment by Senator Saltonstall that
this budget will enable the Penta-
|gon to reach its full goal of de-
fense buildup by the end of 1854
on everything except planes and
aircraft carriers. The Secretary
said the budget as it stands pro-
|vides for completion Of the air
craft production lines. SO that
they would be available for full
use in the event of war, but not
for turning out the planes as fast
as had been contemplated earlier.
During the public hearing.
sheets were thrown over a collec-
|tion of small models Of various
military weapons which the Pen
|tagon brought to the Capitol for
committee inspection. A detail Of
air force MPs was stationed in
the room to guard the models.
Only one of them, an anticraft
gun, was uncovered during today's
session.
Secretary Lovett will return to
the stand tomorrow morning.
Pleads for Full Budget.
Earlier, in a prepared statement,
Mr.. Lovett urged Congress not to
cut the budget below the $50
billion submitted by President
Truman.
Any lesser amount of new au-
|thorization would increase ''be-
yond the realms Of prudence the
calculated risks already taken, /"
in stretching out the defense
buildup, he testified.
Mr.. Lovett pointed out the
original requests Of the various
services for new money at this
session amounted to $71 billion,
not counting foreign aid, The
Defense Department cut the total
to $55 billion, and the President
later made it $50 billion.
The administrations aim was
to keep national security appro-
priations, including foreign aid,
within $50 billion for 1853.
The Secretary said that from a
purely military point Of view the
rate Of buildup does not achieve
mobilization as early the military
chiefs considered desirable. He
recognized, however, that the.
President and Congress must con-
slider all the factors which must
he balanced for the long-term
security of the Nation.
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