Evening star., 1953-12-20
Cutback in Army's
hanpOwer Strength
May Be Nearer 1877
By the Asseeioted Press

ol me ASSCCidIeo rteSS
Last-minute revisions in the
military budget tentatively ap-
proved by President Eisenhower
are expected to cut Army man
power strength back even fur
ther than initially proposed by
the Defense Departmental a
level Of about 1,165, 900 by July
] 1855.
Army officials had argued
strenuously against the original
Defense Department request
that they attempt to trim down
to about 1921 900 men by then.
Army personnel experts had
agreed only reluctantly with the
belief of Defense Department
chiefs that even the first pro-
posal for an approximate 10 per
cent cut to about 1921 900 SOL
diers could be met without Sc
rious impact on troop strength
in critical areas overseas.
Present strength of the Army
Is a little under 100000. --
Cut Nearer 1870 Seen.
Usually well-informed sources
indicated yesterday the final
budget recommendations taken
to Gen. Eisenhower carried a cut
which would be nearer to 18 per
cent. Secretary of the Army Ste
venS, asked by reporters about
the new cut-back, hastily replied
only that Il can't comment at
ALL"
Although Gen Eisenhower is
reported to have given tentative
approval to the general military
budget, which includes the lower
Army figures. and the first pages
of the bulky document have gone
to the Government Printing
Office to be prepared for sub
mission to Congress. changes still
can be made as late as Decem-
ber %.
In other years and under pre-
VlouS administrations, some of
the armed forces have carried
their budget efforts 10 Congress
during committee hearings on
the annual money bills. Whether
Mr.. Stevens and Army generals
would seek to carry their case
beyond the budget-making chan
nelS of Secretary Of Defense Will
son was doubtful.
S3S Billion Budget Looms.
Speculation on the size of
the proposed military spending
budget for the fiscal year begin
ming next July l, varied from
about $38 billion to a little over
$4l billion. In the current year,
the military is expected to spend
approximately $43 billion.
The $38 billion figure approxi-
mates what some congressional
committee leaders. faced with
demands for economy and tax
cuts, have urged upon the mill
tary. 1t also is described as
representing more closely the
amount which administration
budget experts consider feasible.
A reduction of 100000 or more
in the manpoWer strength of
the Army. Navy and Marines
during the coming fiscal year
would represent a big factor in
any overall pairing down of mill
tary spending. Payrolls and the
cost of food, clothing, shelter
and maintenance of installations
represent a substantial chunk of
any military budget. Pentagon
budget makers contend that this
affords the most apparent spot
for any large-scale economies.
Air Force Escapes ManpOwer Cut.
The Air Force is the only serv-
ice not taking a net loss in man.
power under the budget recon-
mendationS. To permit build
up to about 1877 wings (from a
present strength of about 1907
during the next two years, De-
fenSe Department officials have
indicated they believe the Air
Force should be able to expand
to about 10000 men. Present
Air Force strength is little over
$4,000.
The eventual, long-rang goal
for the Air Force is 1877 wings,
each ranging in size from about
80 bombers to rs fighters.
The new budget is expected to
reflect the policy of Mr.. Wilson
to hold down on appropriations
of new money for the armed
forces on the theory that all of
them have been "over- financed"
in the past. Mr.. Wilson says
this means simply that they have
been given more money than
fhnN RnVo eV1A1oI