Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-05

OCLldIOl LII hoCAls AoOAoIdI
made his statement after a
thur w. Radford. former
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. Senator Dirksen de-
clined to comment directly on
the briefing he received yester-
day from Admiral Radford.
But the Illinois Senator said
he has reason to believe that
the United States has made
strides in the missile field not
matched by the Russians. de-
spite their feat in propelling
two satellites into space.
I'VE have many programs
going. on which information
has been withheld, that have
attained amazing results" he
said.
Seven-HOur Briefing
But the three other Senators.
emerging from a separate
seven-hour briefing at the PEN
tagon, did not echo such opti-
mistic statements.
Senate Democratic Leader
Lyndon B. johnson of Texas
commended before the briefing
that the United States has mot
kept in step with the needs of
our times"
Asked later if the top level
conference with Defense De-
partment officials had changed
that opinion. he replied with
an unqualified mo-"
Senator johnson. Chairman
Russell. Democrat of Georgia,
of the Armed Services Commit
tee, and Senator Bridges, Re-
publican of New Hampshire,
the committees senior G. o. P.
member, underwent an ex-
tended brief1ng after lunching
with Secretary of Defense Nc
Elroy.
Senator Bridges said the
country needs a top co-ordi-
nator of all activities" in the
scientific development of mis-
siles and space vehicles. But
he disagreed with suggestions
that have been made for a
cabinet level officer in charge
of these.
Russell Delays Opinion
Senators johnson and Rus
sell agreed they had received
"a lot of technical information"
in the briefing by successive
teams of military scientists.
Senator Russell said he wants
to assimilate the information |
and tie "a lot of odds and ends !
together" before reaching any |
conclusions.
Senator johnson declined to
say until later this week |
whether a preparedness sub
committee he heads will launch |
a fullscale investigation of |
the United States program.
Senator Dirksen. whose talk
with Admiral Radford was less
formal than the Pentagon
brief1ng. said "the Importance |
of what the Russians have done
should not be downgraded.
But we have got the capacity
to exceed them" he continued. |
We've got to get into this with
both feet. l think we'll not |
only catch up with them. but |
move back into the king row."
Senator Symington, Demo-
crat of Missouri. a subcommit-
tee member. said in a speech
in Hannibal, Mo-, that the
truth is we are at least two
years behind" the Russians.
He added that under present |
policies and programs (we)
can only fall further behind |
every day"
He said the second satellite
which the Soviets said they
fired of with a new source Of
power-indicated the Russians
have developed the thrust to
launch an intercontinental bal
llstic missile.
Bigger Outlay Seen
Senator Mundt. Republican
of South Dakota. said in a
radio broadcast on Mutual's
Reporters Roundup that max
ing more money available
isn't the only answer.
Senator Mundt, a member of
the Senate Appropriations
Committee. said he expects de-
Tense expenditures to rise. But
he said progress is likely to lie
In greater concentration on
specific programs.
He said that in the Juror
over Russian satellite achieve
@ents little attention has been