Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-04
U. 5. Speeding
All Defenses,
Wilson Says
Continental Net
Being Perfected,
Congress Is Told
BY JOHN A. GILES

BY JOHN A. GILES
Defense Secretary Wilson re-
ported today that Americas
continental defenses against sur
prise attack are "being pushed
with all practical speed"
Mr.. Wilson, in a statement be-
fore a Senate Appropriations sub
committee, said considerable
progress" has been made in "im-
plementing plans for aircraft
control and warning and sub
marine detection, as well as in
measures for the destruction of
hostile aircraft and subma-
rines."
Air Force fighter intercepter
squadrons are fully equipped
with modern jets, he said, adding
that the number of such units
would continue to increase.
Equipment Rapidly Obsolete
He called the continental de-
Tense program "a massive under
taking involving great cost and
effort in the land areas of the
far North and in the seward
extensions"
Mr.. Wilson's statement was
read to the subcommittee by
Robert Anderson, Deputy Secre-
tary Of Defense. Mr.. Anderson
said Mr.. Wilson was unable to be
present because of a cold.
In reporting the emphasis on
speed, the Secretary's statement
said ''it is important to under
stand that the kind of equipment
needed in this program is sub
ject to rapid obsolescence due to
the high rate of chronological
advancement in this field"
1.-THE improvement of the sys-
TEN is geared to the availability
of suitable equipment and to the
capacity of our forces to use this
equipment" Mr.. Wilson said.
He praised the Canadian gov
eminent for making IAN in
valuable contribution to the air
defense of the North American
continent"
Sticks to Proposed Army Cut
MIR. Wilson disclosed he is
sticking to the plan for a further
cut In Army manpower strength.
There have been recent re-
ports of a new new look" to
leave more men for the ground
forces. but Mr.. Wilson said the
plan Is for an Army of 1,027 900
by June 80, 1856. This was APP
proximately the figure originally
recommended by Mr.. Wilson to
the Budget Bureau.
BY this summer the Army will
be down from a present strength
OF about 1.250,000 to 1.102 900.
That level had been proposed
originally for June 80, Mr.. Will
son said, but may be reached
"a month or two later in order
that reductions can be effected
In an orderly manner"
Some Army officers, including
Gen, Ridgway. Chief of Staff.
contend that larger Army, not
smaller one, would be needed
in atomic weapon battlefield
fighting. President Eisenhower
has described Gen. Ridgeway's
demands for bigger ground forces
as ''parochial."
In advance of Mr.. Wilson's APP
pearance, Subcommittee Chair
man Chavez, Democrat. of New
Mexico said Gen. Ridgway and
other Army officers would have
a full opportunity at the hear
ings to protest the projected
Army manpower cut.
Questioned at Length
Mr.. Anderson was questioned
at length after he had read
Secretary Wilson'S statement, but
there was very little mention of
the controversial proposed re-
duction in Army strength.
At one point, Senator Chavez
asked If the military might not
be emphasizing some things
other than offensive strength.
Mr.. Anderson said there was
"no lack of emphasis" on often
sive capability. He also testified
that the research and develop
ment of the most modern weap-
ons was receiving the Defense
Departments most concentrated
attention"
Senators aired number of
pet complaints during Mr.. An
derson's testimony. Senator
Chavez criticized the depart
ment's public relations hand
out" and suggested that one
overall unit handle press rela-
tions.
Senator Ellender, Democrat, of
Louisiana, said he was "a little
bit depressed in reading the
Secretary's statement saying
that the present level Of expen-
ditures may have to be main
tanned for many years to come.
He wondered about the effect
See WILSON, Page AS