The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-01-30
BONNER REPORTS
AFFAIRS TO HIS
CONSTITUENTS
First District Congressman
Outlines Present Status
of New Congress

somewhat in the Republican con-
trolled Congress. There are many
changes in committees, and Com
mittee chairmanships. Mr.. Bonner
has written us a report on certain
phases of the reorganization of
Congress. He says:
With the change in admiinstra-
tions | have had to decide whether
to be a member of the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
or the Committee on Governmental
Operations which is the investigat-
ing body for the House of Repre-
sentatives. | have decided to stay
with the former on account OF Its
Importance to my District. l have
regretfully given up the investi-
eating committee work which can
do so much for the people of the
United States if the members will
bore into the mass of details in the
Government especially in the De-
partment of Defense and lay bare
the inefficiencies and waste to the
Congress. This takes long hours of
hard work since there are thou
sands of military installations all
over the world. Also the organiza-
ton is tremendous and involved.
We listed in one of our reports GAO
committees and boards of various
kinds in the Office of the Secre-
tary of Defense alone. There are
hundreds of pieces of legislation
that apply to the military services
that take dozens of lawyers to
i interpret.
The services also have some SO
million officers and enlisted men
and 1.3 million civilian employ
ees. They have assets of 146 billion
dollars and spend SO per cent Of
the annual budget of 70 or 80 bill
lion dollars. The job of understand
ing this huge organization requires
days and months of intensive
study, Flooding through installa-
tions and detailed hearings.
Except in a few cases l cannot
\ ticize Individual military peo-
y J. They are capable, well-trained,
ltelligent and devoted to duty
which is the protection of our coun-
try. What is wrong is in the or
ganization of the system. 1t must
be strengthened and streamlined if
we are to have defense without &C.
onomic collapse.
AS Chairman of the so-called
Bonner Watchdog Subcommittee"
for 4 years, | have come to the con-
clusion that the best investment
the taxpayers can make is to spend
a few dollars investigating econo-
my and efficiency in the Depart
ment of Defense.
During a 4-year period my sub
comomittee spent only $4,000, but
we saved at least $500 million
through direct appropriation cuts.
Our reports and recommendations
also laid the foundation for legis-
lation and directives that will save
billions of dollars.
Of much greater Importance
than the cuts has been the continu-
ing influence on the Department
of Defense to improve its organi-
cation and management. In speak
ing of the subcommittee work
Secretary of Defense Lovett stat
ed: / said earlier to the chairman
that this kind of investigation done
in good faith and with intelligence
and in good temper can be of enor-
nous help. l think the chairman is
aware of the fact and the members
must also be, that in several in
stances agreement, shall we say, is
facilitated by the application of a
needed at an appropriate part of
the anatomy at the proper time.
That has brought results. l well
come it. One of the difficulties is
that we are in perhaps the most
involved area oof all military mat
tiers, because it can be widened or
narrowed depending on what you
call logistic systems or what you
call supply systems or issue sys-
TENS or procurement. 1t is about
the most involved that l have come
in contact with"
| might add that other high Off
-ials in the Department of Defense
!. We urged publicly or privately
= 1t our subcommittee or it's sue
ssor continue to investigate and
to prod the military services in
order that we may have defense
with solvency.
OF the many directives that have
been issued following our hearings
and Investigations several will pay
the taxpayers enormous dividends
year after year. Some of these
are:
A. Directives on basic policies
governing the Department of De-
Tense supply system, No. 250.01-1,
July II, 1861.
This defines the duties and re-
sponsibilities on the top staff offic-
es of the Department of Defense.
It also provides for studies to de-