Evening star., 1953-05-22

ocrat. of California, attacking
proposed Air Force fund cuts,
declared today that Secretary
of Defense Wilson should re-
sign.
Senator Ferguson, Republican,
of Michigan, who is in charge
of the defense budget in the
Senate, said today he will in
sist on questioning the Air Force
about figures given a House
member yesterday on the effects
of the administrations $5 billion
cut in Air Force funds.
The statement, placed in the
Congressional Record by Repre-
sentative Yorty, Democrat, of
California, claimed that the 12O-
wing Air Force now planned by
Defense Secretary Wilson would
not be achieved until June 80,
1856. This would be a year
later than Mr.. Wilson estimated.
This statement disputes the
facts as I know them," said
Senator Ferguson, land I will
want to talk with whoever pre-
pared the figures.
1T purports to come from
the Air Force, and I want to
know whether it is based on
actual facts or one persons pri-
vate opinion.
Secretary Not Aware.
At Air Force headquarters a
spokesman said the material was
prepared at Mr.. Yorty's request
in the Office of Maj. Gen. Robert
f. L. Elton, director of legislative
liaison. The spokesman added
that neither Secretary of Air
Talbot nor Gen. Nathan Twin
ing, acting Air Force chief of
staff, was aware such report had
gone to Capitol Hill until Mr..
Yorty released it.
Senator Ferguson pointed out
the funds rec commended for the
Air Force at this session, plus
the carryover from past years,
will give the Air Force $40 billion
on July /. T he Senator said he
will ask that the authors of the
House statement come before his
Senate Appropriations subcom-
mittee now holding hearings on
the defense budget.
The Air Force report said the
new 120-wing goal would cut
air power well below the "abso-
Lutte minimum" for national Sc
curity.
In an accompanying state
ment, Mr.. Yorty declared:
alleged friends of adequate
defense are preparing to
sacrifice air power on the altar
of irresponsible political prom
ises."
Strong Fight Heralded.
The report appeared to herald
a strong fight in Congress to
restore some Of the cuts pro-
posed in Air Force spending and
new appropriations for next
year.
Senator Margaret Chase
Smith, Republican, of Maine,
meanwhile, sent Secretary of De-
fense Wilson a "show me" set of
80 critical questions aimed at
the administration proposal to
trim Air Force funds. There was
no immediate reply from Mr..
Wilson, who was out of the Cap
ital.
Mrs. Smith said Congress will
not agree to the proposed cut
back unless Secretary Wilson can
answer such questions as:
"How can you cut more than
IS billion from the Air Force
appropriations, cut back the Air
Forces strength to ia wings,
and still say that the Air Force
will be more powerful in 1854
than if the original plan had
been followed of building a 143-
wing Air Force by 1882"
Wings vary from 80 to IS air.
craft, depending upon type.
Air Force Estimate.
The Air Force report filed by
Mr.. Yorty said the budget cut
back, from $16,778,00O,OOO to
$11 ,688. 100000. would have this
effect:
l. Stretch out the air buildup
to 100 wings by June 80, 1856,
against the Truman administra-
tion goal of 143 wings by mid
1855. The Air Force supported
the latter as "the absolute min
imum in order to attain ade-
quate national security in view
of the military strength of the
Soviet Union" In 1851, the re-
port said. the Air Force recon-
mended 155 wings Ito support
(See AIR POWER, Page A-230