Evening star., 1953-05-24

statement to a Senate Appropria-
tionS Subcommittee:
There is no evidence that in
dicates that the threat and danger
to the free world has appreciably
lesSened" Then he went on to
say that the Air Force appropria-
tion would not affect air strength
during the coming fiscal year. But
it would he said, result in elimina-
tion of some types of aircraft in
subsequent years.
Defense, Not Attock
The net result, he assured tho
subcommittee, would still be an
Air Force strong enough to defend
the country and strike back in case
of attack but not large enough to
wage war of aggression.
Committee members questioned
him closely on the cuts. 1t was
clear that Democrats and Republic
cans alike were far from con-
vinced that less money could pro-
duce a strong Air Force. Margaret
Chase Smith, Republican, of Maine
drew up list of questions for Mr..
Wilson to answer in writing. The
questions would pin him down on
the exact strength of the proposed
armed forces. The subcommittee
wanted the answers by May 2e.
That action was on the more or
less dignifled level Of a standard
committee hearing. Elsewhere the
fight grew more brutal-and per-
sonal. Representative Yorty, Demo-
crat, of California produced what
he said was an official Air Force
statement on the new budget. The
statement was strongly in opposi-
tion. Mr. Yorty demanded that
Secretary Wilson resign from the
cabinet. 'No enemy could do to
our Air Force what this admin
istration is threatening to do to
It," Mr.. Yorty said.
Air Force View
The Air Force report itself said
the original Truman goal of 143
wings (Wing strength varies from
80 planes in a heavy bomber wing
to rs planes in fighter wing by
July, 1855, represented the abSo-
lutte minimum in order to attain
adequate national security in view
of the military strength OF the
Soviet Union" ....
Mr.. Wilson's budget would allow
for an ultimate strength of only
120 wings and that not until July,
1856, the Air Force contended. This
statement was in direct contradic-
ton to q Wilson claim that 120
groups would be ready by July.
1855. .s
Mr.. Yorty also produced q letter
from Secretary of the Air Force
Talbott-member of the Wilson
"team"-which said the Air Force
was disappointed" that its "activ-
tiles have to be curtailed," but
that 1t was his duty to get along
as well as possible.
Mr.. Yorty, armed with ammuni-
ton from the Air Force, had
started a serious battle. Unless ho
was knocked down quickly, no
would get more support on Capitol
Hill, where the Air Force is popu-
lar. What prompted Mr.. Yorty, Of
all the 210 Democrats in the House.
to do battle was not clear. He has
a seat on neither the Armed serv-
ices nor the Appropriation Com
mittees. But 1t was pointed out
that a large airplane factory, the
Douglas Aircraft plant at Santa
Monica, employs some $4,000 work.
ers and voters. And Mr.. Yorty
served with the Air Force % Q
captain In World War II.
There was no mystery why
Senate leadership in the tight for
more Air Force money was coming
from Senator Symington, Demo-
crat, Of Missouri. Mr.. symington
was the first Secretary Of the Air
Force and always has been an
advocate Of more air power.
Last week the Symington analysis
of the Air Force cut was printed in
the Congressional Record. It con-
cluded: "Our effort to be prepared
by the time the Kremlin is ready
has been further postponed in
favor of business as usual In
other words, as the Soviets steadily
plan to be stronger, we now plan
. to be weaker" Mr.. Symington
agreed with Mr.. Yorty that the
figures unmistakably pointed to q
weaker Air Force than Secretary
Wilson was promising.
The administration was In for Q
fight.
Trade With Reds
Trade with Communist China
has been bone Of contention be-