Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-10-22

EISENHOWER ulu IlOt oOANC ga
the Nations space woes with
that one stroke Of the pen.
he did much toward putting
major space projects under a
single head.
Stil ahead lay two impor-
tant tasks:
/. The immediate problem OF
transferring some 1900 scien-
fists, their laboratories and
factories and their half-billion-
collar annual budget from the
Army to NASA.
q The longer-range problem
of Agetting Congressional APP
progal. or. more precisely. OF
STAYING of an expression OF
disapproval by the Legislative
branch. which under the law
could wash out the whole
transfer.
!, Symington Hits Plan
Quick to criticize the Eisen-
hover plan was Senator Sy-
mington, Democrat of Missouri
a former Secretary of the All
Force. He said the Arny'S
space-missile team started to
disband with the resignation
Of Maj. Gen. John B. Medaris
as Army missile chief ano
may Nbe further adversely az
fected by this latest transfer
decision"
THAT is particularly un-
fortunate because it is a fact
that we are behind in the long,
range missile race, and far be-
hind in the space field" Sen
ator Symington said in an
nouncing he has asked the
Senate Space and Armed Serv-
ices Committees to investigate
Questions of substantial i'm
portance but of lesser national
significance also remained to
be answered. One of these was
what would happen to the
Army Ordnance Missile Com
mand presently headed by
Gen. Medaris at Huntsville,
Ala.
Aid to Program Seen
Though some confusion still
surrounded the Presidents de-
cision today, many observers
were confident that in the new
arrangement might lie the key
to a more effective space pro-
gram. After transfer Of the
Won Braun group and its Sat-
urn super-booster program
NASA will have all the big
deep-space projects under its
wing.
There was some doubt about
whether the transfer could be
effected without impeding the
momentum of the Saturn super
booster project. However, Sat-
urn currently does not have
very much momentum behind
ia fact that has been a point
Of criticism.
The question of the Vor
Braun groups future arose
last month when, in a reas-
signment of functions, the
Defense Department virtually
gave" space to the Air Force
The principal job being done
by the Huntsville organization
development of the Saturn
super-booster-was earmarkec
for eventual transfer to All
Force control.
y MedariS Resigns
AGAINST this backdrop OF ap'
parent eclipse for his command
Gen. Medaris announced hi
resignation Monday, though
denying that the interservict
controversy had anything tt
do with the decision. DR.. Vor
Braun chimed in with criticism
Of foot-dragging in the prose
cution of space efforts in
speech before food chain ex
scutives here Tuesday.
But DR.. Won Braun at Hunts
Vile indicated he would keer
his team with NASA. All III
and his colleagues want III
that we be allowed to devote
ourselves to this country''
space efforts" he said.
He said he had been able u
work closely and harmoniouslN
with NASA, which he called 6
fine organization. and added
t@We look forward to a con-
tfnuation of our efforts with
NASA in a progressive space
program which will make this
Nation second to none"
!, Medaris PLEASED"
l Mr.. Medaris described him
self as "both pleased and re-
heved" by Mr.. Eisenhower's de-
cision which will stabilize thu
Situation and the mission" o.
the ABMA. Providing adequate
financial support is given, III
said the ABMA team undel
NASA "can make a vital con
tribution to the Nations pro
gram for the peaceful explora
ton of outer space"
He reiterated that his de
cislon to retire was in no wa!
connected with the pendinj
transfer of the ABN1A to NASA
:. DR.. Won Baum scotche'
nny idea that he would folloN
Gen. MedariS' lead and resign
'"The major concern Of my col
leagues and myself is that W
be permitted to continue to de
vote ourselves to this country
space efforts" he said.
AS originally announced b
the vacation White House a
Augusta, the Presidents direc
tive transferred the Arm
Ballistic Missile Agency" t
NASA. However, this proved t
be inaccurate. What actual