Evening star., 1953-05-17
Eisenhower in Mood
To Fight Critics Of
Air Force Fund Cut
BY the ASsoeiofed Press

" NV USSSSi0iSS EbSSS
President Eisenhower was re-
ported yesterday to be in a mood
to crack down on officials who
may resist a proposed $5 bill
lion cut in Air Force funds.
Congressional leaders who
have talked to him say" they
expect the President to devote
part of his radio report to the
Nation Tuesday night to dis
cussion of his administrations
program for the Air Force. This
program is described by it's back
ers as designed to put more
combat planes in the air while
reducing former President Tru-
mans request for long-range ap-
preparations.
In informal talks, the PreSi-
dent is said to have expressed
the opinion that the Truman
program for a maximum strength
eventually of 143 wings repre-
Sented only paper" goal.
Won't Allow Battle.
Gen. Eisenhower is reported to
have told lawmakers that his
own look at the Air Force has
convinced him it is just begin
ming to get in quantity the planes
1t needs. He is said to feel that
the pressing job now is to fill up
existing wings as fast as possible
and let future goals take care of
themselves
There were clear indications
the President has little patience
with those who argue about these
ultimate goals and who would
resist, even covertly, the slicing
of appropriations which would
authorize future contracts. He
apparently will brook no battle
within his administration similar
to the Air Force-Navy fight over
B-36 bombers during the Truman
regime.
Gen. Eisenhower's reported in
tent to uphold strongly Secre-
tary of Defense Wilson's Air
Force cut apparently would be
designed to meet Democratic
criticism of such a move.
Democrats Unhappy.
The President apparently has
satisfied Senator Taft of Ohio,
the Republican leader, and other
big Air Force advocates among
the Republicans that his pro-
gram is safe from a security
standpoint. At the same time,
he seems to have blocked off
where in the arms program.
But there are likely to be
plenty of Democratic protests
that cuts already proposed are
too deep. For example, Senator
Symington, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, former Air Force Secre-
tary. said in a speech at Enid,
Okla, yesterday. that Gen. Eli
senhower is putting fiscal poll
cies ahead of military strategy"
and is making an incredible re-
ductlon in our own air strength"
President Eisenhower crlti-
cized that policy in his cam
paign," Senator Symington said.
II was hoping that his admins
tration would not follow the ad-
vice of those who would cut down
the flow of planes, funds, ma
terials and men which must build
tomorrow's air force today.
Confident of Strength.
But what did the administra-
tion offer us last week? More
stretchout, more soothing syrup,
more cars, more fat, less muscle"
Senator Symington said there
was no evidence the Russians
plan any "Stretch-out."
In other words as the Soviets
steadily plan to be stronger. we
now plan to be weaker" he said.
Gen. Eisenhower's Tuesday
night report apparently is being
designed to meet just such
charges. Those who have talked
with the President say they have
y found him confident, as a mill
tary man, that proposed budget
cuts will not diminish this ma
tion's ability to defend itself.
On that score. even Democrats
who are opposing his program
concede that the President is in
a position to WELD powerful in
f1uence.
Eyes on Foreign Aid.
These Democrats join their
Republican colleagues in saying
privately that the country is
likely to accept Gen. Eisen-
hower's judgment. especially
after he explains just what he is
about in trying to bring expendi-
lures into line with revenue.
Those who want to cut even
deeper into spending than the
President has proposed are turn
ing to other itemS-Such as for
eign aid-with clear indications
that they don't want to tangle
with the man in the White
House on military matters.
Despite outcries by critics,
most of the administration lead
ers feel that in the end Congress
will accept the Presidents arms
program without major changes.
This will not be done, however,
without some rather pointed
statements on the part of some
lawmakers that the RESPONSE
bility is all Gen. Eisenhower's.
$4,000 to Lose Sight