DEPARTMENT OF

DEFENSE

APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1961

HEARINGS

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
GEORGE H. MAHON, Texas, Chairman

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS CLARENCE CANNON, Missouri, Chairman

HON. THOMAS S. GATES, JR., SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

GEN. NATHAN F. TWINING, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF HERBERT F. YORK, DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING

FRANKLIN B. LINCOLN, JR., ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER)

JOHN M. SPRAGUE, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER)

MAJ. GEN. R. S. MOORE, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE COMPTROLLER

CAPT. L. P. GRAY, USN, MILITARY ASSISTANT TO CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

H. R. LOGAN, DEPUTY COMPTROLLER FOR BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER) HENRY GLASS, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMICS, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER)

M. H. LANMAN, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL (FISCAL MATTERS), OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

Mr. MAHON. Gentlemen, we began our hearings on Monday, January 11, 2 days ago, with the appearance before the committee of Mr. Allen Dulles, Mr. Robert W. Omory, and other representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency, who gave the committee an intelligence briefing of 2 days duration. Of necessity that testimony was highly classified and will not be included in the printed record of the hearings. Therefore, to all intents and purposes, this is the beginning of the hearings on the 1961 defense budget.

I think it fitting to pause a moment to pay tribute to the memory of our departed colleague who served so loyally and faithfully on this committee, the gentleman from Illinois, Charlie Boyle. He was able, efficient, alert, constantly in attendance, and he did a good job. The full Committee on Appropriations has adopted appropriate resolutions, but I think it proper to make some reference here to our able and good friend who has so recently passed away.

Mr. Secretary, this is your first appearance before the committee as Secretary of Defense. This is the first time we have had Mr. Lincoln, who succeeds Mr. McNeil as Comptroller, here. Is this not a first for you, Mr. Sprague?

Mr. SPRAGUE. It is.

Mr. MAHON. Of course, this is not the first appearance of Secretary Gates before the committee. He has been before us many, many times over the past 5 or 6 years, but it is his first time to appear as Secretary of Defense.

Mr. Secretary, we are well aware of your serious and dedicated approach to the problems of national defense. You are a demonstrated

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friend of the cause of adequate national defense of the country. You have a hard job. We all have hard jobs. Reviewing the budget programs totaling $39.3 billion, which this committee will consider, will require many weeks of effort. We will work with you to the best of our ability and in the best interests of the United States regardless of political considerations, or any other considerations.

This is serious business in which we are engaged. I know you weigh your words carefully in your statement, and you will do so in your testimony in answer to questions.

Now, General Twining, we, of course, are going to rely very heavily upon you, as in previous years, to give us advice and counsel and information that might be helpful to us in our work.

I suggest now that we proceed with the presentation of the Secretary. Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Secretary?

Secretary GATES. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MAHON. You may proceed and take whatever time you may need to present your views to the committee.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF Defense

Secretary GATES. I would like to thank you for your remarks, and I hope I continue to justify your confidence.

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, this opportunity to present and discuss the defense program and budget proposed for fiscal year 1961 is greatly appreciated. Although I have appeared before this committee on many occasions, this is my first appearance as Secretary of Defense. I never fully appreciated the burdens of the Secretary's Office until I assumed the post of Deputy Secretary last June. After almost 7 years in the Pentagon I find there is still a great deal to learn. Every new responsibility is different and poses new problems.

I count myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve under Secretary Neil McElroy. Fully mindful of all the problems confronting any man taking over these duties, he made every effort to effect the transition smoothly. He gave unstintingly of his counsel and experience. He also arranged our joint participation in the review of this budget.

The defense program and budget cannot be formulated in isolation. It must be dealt with in the context of the entire national policy. It may be useful, therefore, to review some of the major factors which were considered in developing this budget.

First, the threat to our national security, and indeed the security of the entire free world, is not only military. It is also political, economic, and psychological. To cope successfully with this total threat the United States must have a total strategy within which all elements the military, the political, the economic. and the psychological are closely coordinated and, most important, are in proper balance. Thus, the military program is and must be consciously integrated with all elements of national policy.

Second, we cannot assume at this time that negotiations with the Soviets will result in agreements that will ease our defense problems. There is nothing to justify a belief that the Soviets will make substantive concessions which will reduce our security requirements. In fact, the Soviet Union is increasing its military capabilities, especially delivery systems.

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