Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-05
|Quar|es Hopes
.ToAvert Boost
In Debt Limit
Cuts or Stretchout
Seen Possible on
Defense Program
BY JOHN A. GILES

ny JOAAAN
Deputy Defense Secretary
Quarles said today it now APP
pears President Eisenhower's
program will either have
10 be cut or stretched out or
more spending authorized with
1 resultant rise in the Nations
debt ceiling. .
But he expressed hope that
would be taken in the
Pentagon to bring the program
IN line which will not make these
alternatives necessary.
Mr.. Quarles made the state
ment before the Senate Military
Appropriations Subc o m mittee
under questioning by Senator Sy-
The Missouri Democrat
has charged it was fantastic"
for the Pentagon to seek restora-
ton of SIP billion in House cuts
made in Mr.. Eisenhower'S mill
tary budget while the department
is trimming much more through
internal actions for fiscal rea-
sons.
Stresses Wilson Cutbacks
He referred specifically to De-
Tense Secretary Wilson'S orders
banning installment buying in
the Air Force and another can
ceiling $500 million worth of de-
tense contracts this month.
Mr.. Quarles, who became dep
uty defense chief on May / fol-
lowing service as Air Secretary
said he protested issuance of the
orders. However. he said he was
they could be worked
out without injuring the Ali
Force. which Senator Symingtor
also headed during the Truman
administration.
The Senator called attention
to testimony yesterday by AS
sistant Defense Secretary Nc
Neil stating that military spend
ing, set at $38 billion now, was
currently running at the rate Of
$42 billion annually.
Mr.. Mcneil said I'VE have
been informed that considering
the anticipated revenues of the
Government and the statutory
debt limit. expenditures for the
department must not substan.
tally exceed the budget estimate
Of $3S billion during the coming
year"
Consider AT Protest
Mr.. Quarles said the Defense
now is giving con-
Sideration to a second Air Force
protest against the directive and
pointed out that the order al
lowed certain exceptions which
he felt would be worked out
satisfactorily.
II believe that At can be
worked out so as not to have
a great impact" he said.
Senator Symington has said
the air program would be
Quilted" and that $3.5 billion
worth Of aircraft and missile
contracts could not be let.
Mr.. Quarles testified that he
knew of no further change in
the B-52 bomber program which
will be influenced by budget or
fiscal considerations.
Yesterday Senator Symington
that Mr.. Wilson re-
scind his order on installment
buying.
He gave a long list OF modern
planes and missiles which he
said the Air Force would not be
able to buy under the ban.
Mr.. Mcneil replied that I'VE
really are in bad shape" if the
5ymington analysis proves cor
-ect. He added If such was the
case the Air Force lis doing more
partial financing than l ever
dreamed"
No Definitive Analysis
The witness said he had been
told the directive might affect
from 81 billion to $3.5 billion
worth of contracts but added
there had been mo deflnitive
analysis" as yet.
1t. Gen. M. j. Asensio. Air
Force controller, said that per
haps II the most drastic inter-
probation is put on every
element of the directive the
degree Of result" in the Syming-
ton analysis might be correct.
Senator Symington then de-
that the directive be re-
scinded or that Mr.. Wilson pre-
sent a revised air program in
line with it. He maintained that
it was fantastic" that the
Pentagon should be asking the
Senate to restore SIP billion in
House cuts in President Eisen-
hower's military budget while
the effect of its directives was to
trim far greater amounts.
Senator Symington accused
Defense officials of arbitrary
fiscal manipulation" which he
said could cut or delay con-
tracts. Mr.. Mcneil quietly but
emphatically denied the conten-
ton.
This is Just the opposite OF
fiscal manipulation" he said
That is sound business"
He said Mr.. Wilson issued the
directive. on his suggestion. in
an effort TO keep military spend
ing with amounts in the budget