Slower Buildup

In their drive for economy, the top budgetmakers of the Eisenhower Administration have made a decision to slow the buildup rate of the U.S. defense forces.

By means of bookkeeping switches, Budget Director Joseph Dodge was able to trim Harry Truman's 1954 defense budget from $41.5 billion to $38 billion with little or no damage to buildup goals. But last week Dodge let the Pentagon know that he plans to get the 1955 budget down to $35 billion by cutting: 1) the Air Force's goal from 143 groups to 110, and 2) the Navy's supercarrier program (from three carriers to two) and other naval activities. With the approval of Defense Secretary Wilson, Dodge issued an order restraining the Air Force, which has on hand appropriations for 143 groups, from spending any money for building up beyond no groups. Most of the cuts are to come from the Strategic Air Command.

The order is not beyond appeal: the National Security Council and the new Joint Chiefs of Staff may still persuade the President that, economy or no economy, no groups is not enough air power. The final decision will inevitably be up to Dwight Eisenhower.

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