The People's Strategists

Congress took over the problems of U.S. war strategy last week. As G.O.P. leaders gave defense bills the right of way, committees in both House and Senate began writing their concept of what the biggest peacetime military establishment in the nation's history should look like.

The House Armed Services Committee drafted a selective service bill which, in the next two years, would build up a force close to a quarter of a million more than Defense Secretary James V. Forrestal had asked for. The draftable age group: 19 to 25. They would be used as 1) replacements, 2) to build the services up to a total of 1,944,000 men. They would be drafted for two years.

Universal military training was not included in the bill. U.M.T. appeared to be dead. Many Congressmen had become convinced that U.M.T. is a good way to build up military strength in "normal peacetime," but that in a crisis selective service is the only quick way to get a larger Army. They preferred to spend the money on an expanded Air Force, and raise it from 55 to 70 groups.

Decision Reversed. On this major, much-argued point, Congressmen were inclined to overrule Secretary Forrestal, who was supposed to have made the final Solomonic Decision to hold the Air Force to 55 groups (TIME, April 5). Forrestal's recommendation was based on a "balanced" military structure. His theory: a bigger Air Force is ineffective without a bigger ground force. Even Air Force men admit that U.S. aircraft cannot deliver a decisive blow against the enemy except from overseas bases defended by ground troops.

But the House committee bill added no men to the authorized Army strength the Administration had asked for. The increment of manpower was for the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Capitol, the Senate Armed Services Committee listened sympathetically as Air Secretary W. Stuart Symington, backed by General Carl Spaatz, said once again that anything less than 70 groups would be inadequate. The Senators indicated that they would make their own decision this week, and that it would be for 70 groups.

For Procurement. The Senators also listened to Symington's plea to hurry up. The time between appropriating the money for airplanes and getting them in operation is a critical factor in any preparedness program.

The House Appropriations Committee did something about that. It promised to make $2,376,000,000 immediately available for aircraft procurement. Chairman John Taber, one of the tightest-fisted men in Congress, announced that his committee would have the appropriation bill on the House floor this week.

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