Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-21
Reserves 10 Get
Pentdgon Ak;
Protests Rise
BY JOHN A. GILES

Military reserve units are
next, on the list scheduled to
feel the Pentagon'S economy ak.
Plans for streamlining the
units are being considered
along with the proposal that
the regular forces, already
trimmed by 100000. be reduced
by more than 100000 addi-
tionaily, it was learned today.
w. H. Francis, jr.. Assistant
Defense Secretary for Man
power. has written the Re-
serve Officers' Association that
advances and improvements
make it possible to effect re-
auctions in manpower while
still providing increased COM
bat potential" and that those
concepts will be applied to
the reserve components as rap
idly as possible"
However, he indicated that
at least a part Of the reason
for trimming the reserves was
financial when he added.
"At the same time. the at.
tendant savings in dollars will
contribute to the security of
our nations financial condi-
ton"
"Same Old Story" Recalled
Even though a final deci-
sion is not expected before No
vember. the proposal today
brought angry blasts from two
quarters.
Brig. Gen. deLesseps S. Nor
riSon. ROA president, asserted
it was the same old story" Of |
the Pentagon's treatment Of |
reserves.
He said his outfit was CON
cerned about the loss Of mil |
lions Of dollars of investment |
which will occur when those
returning from active duty 60 |
into inactive status" He said |
small appropriation would |
preserve this asset.
He proposed that 100000 be
added to the strength Of the |
reserves to soften the effect OF (
the 100.0O0-man reduction or I
dered in the regulars.
Mr.. Francis said, however, I
that numerical strength i
is not alone a satisfactory indi- |
Gator Of military potential"
Scuttling Of IS Plan Feared
Chairman Brooks of the
House Armed Services Reserves
subcommittee said he was ZAP /
prehensive" that the Defense
Department now proposed to
scuttle the reserve program laid /
down by Congress in 1855 and |
promised his group would hold /
hearings.
The Louisiana Democrat said |
it appears to him the reserve
program, which was coming |
along fine" had been deliber-
ately slowed down and said he /
intended to write a letter of /
protest to Defense Secretary
Wilson.
However. an authoritative I
source said Mr.. Wilson and as /
sociates already are at work on /
a new reserve program and that
the goals probably will be
modified downward in 1859 and +
1850" in keeping with the
trend.
He also said it now appears
likely the regular forces will be
reduced by much more than |
the 100000 Mr.. Wilson men,
toned as minimum planning
figure"
Correspondence Released
The ROA also released cor
respondence between Gen. Nor
rison and Sherman Adams, as
sistant to President Eisenhower.
Mr.. Adams said Mr.. Essen
hover has requested me to
express his appreciation of
your recent letter concerning
the strength ratio between
standing and reserve forces and
to assure you that he believes
deeply in maintaining strong
and ready reserve components."
However, he added, that /
sheer numbers are important, I
but the degree of readiness,
state Of training and such
material factors as equipment
and buildings likewise deter
mine reserve strength"
AS a result of screening pro- I
grams already carried out the
armed forces have reduced the
strength Of their ready reserves
to 2.9 million. the maximum
authorized by Congress.
Within this ceiling the goal
is to attain a drill-pay strength
OF 1.050.000, which is $4,000
more than this year.