Evening star., 1953-05-16
Wilson Denies Funds
For Air Force Are Cut
Back Too Heavily
By John A. Giles

Secretary Of Defense Wilson
has taken notice Of air power
advocates charges that the Air
Force is being cut back too heav-
lily. He asserted fatty the adj
ministration has not "loSt con-
f1dence" in its long-range atomic
bomber fleet.
At an Armed Forces Day din
ner in the Hotel Statler last
night, he noted that the air arm
next year will have 81 per cent
more funds available than the
Navy and 81 per cent more than
the Army. despite the fact the
latter must bear the cost of the
Korean war and the support Of
South Korean divisions.
This certainly does not indi-
cate the Department of Defense
has changed its mind regarding
the Importance of air power, nor
does 1t mean that we have lost
confidence in the strategic Air
Force as a vital deterrent to ag-
gression and a decisive striking
force in case war is forced upon
u.s." Mr.. Wilson declared. It was
his first address since taking
Office.
Bears Brunt of Cuts.
Under Mr.. Wilson's military
economy program" the Air
Force is bearing the brunt of
the SlasheS made in the budget
offered by Former President Tru-
man. This fact. coupled with the
designation of Admiral Arthur
w. Radford as the next chair
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
has led to Air Force fears that
less emphasis would be placed on
air power. Admiral Radford in
the past has been highly critical
of Air Force policies and espe-
cially its heavy bomber program.
Mr.. Wilson said Air Force
combat effectiveness will be
achieved through continued
modernization of equipment and
by a substantial buildup in the
number of combat wings" There
now are 103 wings, Mr.. Wilson
proposed an interim goal" of 100
and the Truman program called
for build-up to 143. Mr.. Wilson
said the air arm would concen-
trate on quality and effective
ness, not on numbers.
Mr.. Wilson said the reductions
In defense spending were arrived
at "by going over our entire mill
tary program item by item, prof.
ect by project. -.
ut was not arrived at on the
basis of any predetermined
amount that we would have to
cut any particular SERVICE" he
continued.
Our economy program, and
we do have an economy program.
is based on more effective defense
for less money" the secretary de-
clared. I'VE believe that Uncle
Sans big old pocketbook has
been open just too WIDE"
But Gen. Omar Bradley, get
ting ready to leave the chair.
manship Of the Joint Chiefs Of
Staff, advised that the cost of
preparedness would continue
high-$3 billion a month-for
a long time to come.
To those who would put econ
omy ahead of security, who are
wishfully hopeful in regard to
Communist intentions, my pre-
diction of costs must be a gloomy
one" Gen. Bradley said.
The general voiced his views
in an address yesterday noon.
So to some it seemed as though
Mr.. Wilson was replying to Gen.
Bradley in his speech last night.
The Secretary paid tribute to
the newly designated Joint
Chiefs as "men of ability,
who will, I am sure" ap-
proach review of military plans
this fall "objectively and without
prejudice"
More Than 1000 Attend.
The dinner was attended by
more than 1000 persons. It was
sponsored by the Military Order
Of the World Wars, the Navy
League and the Air Force As
sociation.
A highlight of the evening was
the mass presentation of the
colors by men of the Army, Navy,
Air Force and Marine Corps.
The master of ceremonies was
Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, I'm
dersecretary of State. He paid
tribute to the thousands of men
in service in Korea. and addi-
tional thousands who are de-
serving of the homage of the
United States by performing de-
fense jobs at home.