Evening star., 1961-01-04
KENNEDY

| SVAbAnOCO EIU" EIEBt y
review the ominous develop.
ments in personal talks with
his Secretary Of Defense-des-
ignate Robert 8. McNasnara in
New York this evening and
with Mr.. Rusk In Washington
Friday, evening.
It appeared obvious that the
status Of this country's key
naval base at Guantanamo, /,
Cuba, would be Q subject of
prime concern in the Kennedy.
McNamara discussions.
Before moving his preinau-
gural headquarters to the Car
lyle Hotel in New York for a
few days. the President-elect
today named Cyrus r. Vance,
43-year-old New York lawyer,
to be general counsel Of the
Defense Department.
| Mr.. Vance has served on and
on for the last four years as
special counsel to Senate prob
ers Of defense programs. His
was the second high-level
Pentagon post to be filled with
in "a hours.
Hitch Appointed
Mr.. Kennedy announced last
night the appointment Of
Charles J. Fitch, 50, widely
known economist who became
chairman Of the research coun-
ell Of the Rand Corp. Just two
months ago. as Assistant Sec
retary Of Defense (controller).
Pierre Salinger, the Presi-
dent-elect's press secretary, said
announcement Of one or more
additional appointments to Inn
portant second-tier jobs in the
Kennedy administration could
be expected tonight in New
York.
Mr.. Kennedy arranged to ny
to New York aboard O regularly
scheduled Eastern Airlines Jet
airliner. due to take Of from
Palm Beach ct 2 pm. today.
He scheduled 0 conference
with Mr.. McNamara In. New
York before dinner this eve
ming. b.
Mr.. Salinger. striving to keep
from giving any impression
that Mr.. Kennedy might be
assuming any responsibility for
presidential actions before he
is inaugurated January 20, indi-
Gated the conference was ar
ranged to talk over Pentagon
organization matters. But he
carefully refrained from ruling
out discussion Of developments
In Cuba and Laos.
In Washington Friday
The President-elect expects
to fly from New York to WASH
ington Friday afternoon and
meet with Mr.. Rusk at Mr..
Kennedy's Georgetown home
Friday evening. After further
conferences there Saturday, he
plans to return to New York.
He has arranged o confer.
ence in New York tomorrow
with leaders Of nine farm or
ganizations to discuss measures
to relieve what he called the
farm crisis"
The Vance and Hitch ap-
pointments were announced
after telephone consultation
between Mr.. Kennedy and Mr..
McNamara.
Aide to Senate Probers
Mr.. Vance. o native of
Clarksburg. w. Va. and q Yale
graduate, is q partner in q New
York law firm.
In 1957-5S. he served as spe-
cial counsel to the Senate
Armed Services Committees
preparedness investigating sub
committee during its inquiry
into this country's satellite and
missile programs. He also was
special counsel for the subcom-
mittee during numerous 1859
and 1860 hearings concerned
with American defense pro-
grams and space activities.
He worked with another SEN
ate committee for a time in
1858. serving as consulting
counsel for the Senate Space
Committee in connection with
the drafting Of the National
Space Act.
AS controller of the Defense
Department, Mr.. Hitch will
supervise preparation Of the
Defense budget and advise the
Defense Secretary on Pentagon
financial matters generally.
Mr.. Hitch is q Democrat. Mr..
Salinger said. he did not know
Mr.. Vance's political affiliation.
Remain in Palm Beach
Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy
and their two children planned
to remain in Palm Beach until
the President-elect returns here
some time next week. Also re-
naming at the family'S sea-
side villa here was Mrs. Rose
Kennedy, the President-elect's
mother. o,
His father. Joseph p. Ken
nedy, was flying with him to
New York today but returning
here Saturday.