Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-05

tHc inquiry, HlGuoico Iuli speed
- He listed Q score Of Pentagl
mony before the watchdog De
tee. Of which he Is chairman.
And he told newsmen that
additional witnesses. including
missile manufacturers and
scientists. must be called later.
Priority ON Defense
Senator johnson. who is the
Senate Democratic leader, also
has put Q top priority tag on
defense and security matters
for the new session of Congress
that opens Tuesday.
He resumes the satellite-mis-
sile probe at 10 am. tomorrow
with Rear Admiral LYMAN q.
Rickcver. Navy expert on nu-
clear submarines. as the first
witness.
As TO q special report and
recommendations. senator
johnson said these must wait
until more evidence is accumu-
lated.
The committee Is making q
report every day when It pre-
sents the facts to the people"
he said Of the inquiry. 1--WE are
not looking for q scapegoat or
for someone to blame"
Senator johnson reiterates
that his main concern Is to be
certain that the United States
overtakes and passes the Sow
cts in the race for long-range
missiles and eventual control
Of space.
Conflicting Opinions Aired
Public hearings in the special
Senate probe got underway in
late November. well after the
two Soviet satellites began or
biting . startled world.
Since then millions Of words
Of testimony have been taken
from top scientists and defense
leaders. both military and ci-
villain. on why the Russians
got ahead and what the United
States Is doing about 1t.
Some sharply conflicting
opinions have been offered be-
fore the Senate group.
Most experts agree that the
United States could have beat
en- the Soviets with q satellite
during the International Geo.
physical Year II this had been
planned and II available mill
tary missile systems had been
used.
Most also agree that satel-
lites and missiles will play a
powerful role in future military
might. But there Is sharp dis
agreement about relative en-
phasis on space ships and sa-
tellites. and Jet bombers.
Oficial Indecision Criticized
Criticism Of the rivalry
among the Army. Navy and Air
Force for their various missile
programs has also extended to
tndecision by numerous Gov
eminent committees and PEN
tagon officials.
Senator johnson and his
committee lawyers have EN-
phaSized this aspect in ques-
tioning almost every witness.
I They have urged: More de-
tense funds: removal Of limits
on overtime and spending on
missiles; . permanent defense
research and development
staff: programs for 3 to 5 years
instead Of the present annual
system subject to congressional
appropriations: more leeway
for contractors: and speedup
in dispersal Of this country's
let bombers able to pack nu-
clear weapons.
The Pentagon has moved
swiftly along many Of these
lines. and a administration
spokesman told the Senate
probers they acted before the
inquiry began.
Spending Limits Lifted
Secretary Of Defense McElroy
testified he lifted overtime and
spending limits before Sena-
tors protested them.
A new single agency for re-
search and development. called
the Advance Research Projects
Agency. is being established In
the Defense Department. The
agency is expected TO deal with
space vehicle and similar future
efforts. A manager has not yet
been chosen.
The Pentagon announced
contracts for q new chemical
bomber designed 10 fly a mile
q second. or $500 miles an
hour. and as high as 100 miles.
Production was ordered on
two rival MISUNDERSTANDING
ballistic missiles. the Air Force
Thor and the Army Jupiter.
Both are expected TO carry nu-
clear warheads 1900 miles or
more.
Atlas Stepup Ordered
A stepup was ordered in pro-
duction Of the intercontinental
------------~------------