NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947 MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1947 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The committee met at 10 a. m., pursuant to adjournment, in room 1501 of the New House Office Building, Hon. Clare E. Hoffman (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. Our first witnesses will be representatives of the American Legion. STATEMENT OF HARRY V. HAYDEN, JR., NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE, THE AMERICAN LEGION Mr. HAYDEN. For the record, my name is Harry V. Hayden, Jr., national legislative representative of the American Legion. I wish to present a member of our national aeronautics committee, who will give the committee the American Legion's policy so far as unification is concerned. Mr. John Dwight Sullivan, member of our national aeronautics committee. The CHAIRMAN. In what capacity are you speaking? Mr. HAYDEN. National legislative representative of the American Legion. The CHAIRMAN. Are you registered as such under the so-called lobbyist law? Mr. HAYDEN. Yes, sir; we were the first ones to register. STATEMENT OF JOHN DWIGHT SULLIVAN, NATIONAL DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN LEGION Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I think the principles that were formulated by the American Legion in its last two national conventions are those which are set forth, four in number, in the last and concluding sentence of the prepared statement; and even though they be in the record which is before you, I would like to state them verbally: That, in the opinion of the American Legion, the time for action is now. We have heard, we believe, most of the eminent authorities of both the Army, the Navy, and the Air Forces, and our judgment, as expressed strongly in the convention, is that the matter calls for decision now; and when I say "now," we mean, of course, the current session of Congress before recess and adjournment.. The CHAIRMAN. This committee has not heard the many who desire to appear, especially from the Navy. Mr. SULLIVAN. I understand that, sir. The CHAIRMAN. You said "having heard." Mr. SULLIVAN. We have heard; we are not saying that you have heard. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you; I did not want it misunderstood. Mr. SULLIVAN. Secondly, while the opinions of our military and naval leaders are to be considered with respect, and while it is desirable that they resolve their differences as far as possible, it is neither necessary nor advisable that we wait until they are in complete agreement on details before this necessary action be taken. Third, that no branch of the armed services has any vested interest in the national security and that the sole question to be determined is as to the manner in which the national security can best be preserved. Fourth, that the end to be attained is the centralization of civilian authority and control under the President and within the powers and duties of the President as prescribed by the United States Constitution. The balance of my statement is as submitted. The CHAIRMAN. Your statement will be inserted in the record. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF JOHN DWIGHT SULLIVAN REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN LEGION Mr. Chairman and members of the committee my name is John Dwight Sullivanj My address is 280 Broadway, New York, N. Y. I am a member of the nationa' defense committee of the American Legion, being a member and former chairman of its subcommittee on aeronautics. Together with Arthur F. Duffy who is and has been for some years chairman of the naval affairs committee of the American Legion, I have been designated by the chairman of the national defense comittees, the American Legion, to present to you the recommendation of the American Legion as expressed in its 1945 and 1946 national conventions with respect to the unification of the armed forces. I am pleased on behalf of the national organization of the American Legion to have this opportunity; and with the consent of the chairman I shall submit this prepared statement together with such additional comment and interpretation as appears necessary and desirable in order to amplify and explain the position taken by the American Legion upon this important subject, to give the background out of which these resolutions arose and to explain the reasons underlying this recommendation. The subject of the organization and reorganization of the armed services in the interests of the national security has been a matter of consideration, discussion, and debate throughout the American Legion over a number of years, as it has been in other organizations in this country. Prior to Pearl Harbor these discussions centered around one much discussed question. It related to the best means of developing an adequate American air power either within the framework of the existing military organizations, or through a difference structure of the departments of the Government. As against the arguments that were advanced when change or changes were advocated, the opponents of those proposed changes invariably answered "this is not the time." Their policy and their recommendation was in effect "wait and see." That argument prevailed, at least during the period of the recent war. With the cessation of hostilities, with the example of the recent war behind us, with the development of new weapons, the question arose again. The old argument "wait and see" could no longer stand up. Immediately prior to the 1945 national convention of the American Legion held in Chicago, Ill., on November 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1945, this great question was brought out for open debate again, particularly in the standing national-defense. committee of the American Legion, before its national-aeronautics commission, and before the national-defense committee of the convention. Among the officers who were heard by this committee on the subject were Major General Parks, Major General Anderson, Brigadier General Welsh, Brigadier General O'Donne'l of the Army and Army Air Forces, Admiral Sherman, Admiral Wagner, Admiral Berkey of the Navy. In addition, the convention itself heard addresses dealing with that subject by Admiral King, Admiral Nimitz, General Doolittle, and General Vandegrift of the Marine Corps. General Eisenhower referred to the same subject in his speech before the national commander's dinner at the 1945 national convention. I mention the names of these officers so that this committee may know that the stand taken and the recommendation made by the 1945 national convention, American Legion, was after having had the opportunity of hearing free and open discussion between representatives of the armed services upon this subject. The action taken by the 1945 national convention without dissent from the floor of the convention was as follows: "We endorse the principle of a unified command of our armed forces with the Army, Navy, and Air Force on an equal level." As will appear from the text of the resolution itself, this was a recommendation as to policy. It did not specify or call for a particular action or a particular bill. At the 1946 national convention held in San Francisco on September 30, October 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1946, this question of unification and the establishment of a single department was again fully discussed by the convention and by its convention committees. It was debated before the aeronautics section and the naval-affairs committee of the national-defense committees. It was debated before the full national-defense committee of the convention. When the final action of the national-defense committee on the subject was presented to the national convention itself, a motion was made to defer action on it and to leave it to the nationalexecutive committee of the Legion for further consideration. That motion was soundly defeated. The report of the national-defense committee adopted by the convention representing the considered and declared policy of the American Legion with respect to this subject is as follows: "Whereas the American Legion at its twenty-seventh annual convention established its policy on unification as follows: "We endorse the principle of a unified command of our armed forces with the Army, Navy, and Air Forces on an equal level. "Whereas Congress recognizing the need for unification of the armed forces, has voted to reorganize its Committees on Military and Naval Affairs to accomplish unity of action; and "Whereas closer coordination between branches of the armed services is essential to adequate preparedness and economy of supply; Now, therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Congress is requested to enact appropriate legislation to establish a single Department of National Security with provision for the Army, Navy, and Air Forces on an equal level therein." The report was adopted. It will be noted that the recommendation as to policy covered in the 1945 resolution is amplified in the 1946 resolution by a positive declaration calling for affirmative legislative action by the Congress. Certain conclusions may be drawn both from this resolution and from the circumstances under which it was discussed and acted upon. These conclusions include the following: 1. That in the opinion of the American Legion the time for action is now. 2. That, while the opinions of our military and naval leaders are to be considered with respect, and while it is desirable that they resolve their differences as far as possible, it is neither necessary nor advisable that we wait until they are in complete agreement on details before this necessary action be taken. 3. That no branch of the armed services has any vested interest in the national security and that the sole question to be determined is as to the manner in which the national security can best be preserved. 4. That the end to be attained is the centralization of civilian authority and control under the President and within the powers and duties of the President as prescribed by the United States Constitution. The Legion did not specify a particular bill. In our opinion the bill now before the Congress for consideration, H. R. 2319, known as the National Security Act of 1947, meets the objectives called for in the Legion's declaration. It vests in the proposed Secretary of National Defense the power to exercise direction of policies and programs and finally determine budget estimates of the national defense establishment for submission to the Bureau of the Budget. Finally, the American Legion recommends that the Congress act and act favorably upon this proposed legislation as soon as consistent with fair consideration of it, and that if the Congress deems it necessary and expedient that amendments be made, that such amendments shall not depart from the principles contained in this proposed legislation. Respectfully submitted. JOHN DWIGHT SULLIVAN, ARTHUR F. Duffy, Representing the American Legion. Mr. SULLIVAN. May I say this also for the record: It appears here that I am authorized as one of two men, the second one being Arthur F. Duffy, chairman of the naval affairs committee, a subcommittee of the national defense committee of the American Legion. Mr. Duffy and I talked by telephone yesterday. He had expected to be here to testify himself but I had a telegram from him last night which reads as follows: Cannot leave. Testify for me in Naval Affairs Committee. Am in full accord. ARTHUR DUFFY, Chairman, Naval Affairs Committee. His statement has been prepared, and I assume it will be submitted for the record. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF ARTHUR F. DUFFY, REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN LEGION Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Arthur F. Duffy. My address is 161-04 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, N. Y. I am, and have been, chairman of the naval affairs committee, a subcommittee of the national defense committee of the American Legion. With John Dwight Sullivan, I have been appointed by S. Perry Brown, chairman of the national defense committee, to represent the American Legion before the House committee hearings on H. R. 2319. I have participated in the preparation of the statement of John Dwight Sullivan for submission to the committee and concur fully in his statement in all respects. The subject of unification of command was before the naval affairs committee at various meetings during the war. The naval viewpoint only was voiced in the meetings, but the opinions of the Ground and Air Forces were heard in the full meeting of the national defense committee. Agreement was had to defer action in the matter until after cessation of hostilities. With the war ended, the subject again came before the committee. Never has a matter before the American Legion been more studied and debated. The vote in 1945 was unanimous for the statement of principle set forth in Mr. Sullivan's statement. The resolution of 1946 was adopted by the convention in San Francisco, after full debate, and became the mandate of the American Legion. The American Legion believes the bill, H. R. 2319, should be favorably reported by your committee in the interest of the national security. Respectfully submitted. Mr. DORN. Is he for the bill? Mr. SULLIVAN. He is, sir, without qualification. Mr. SULLIVAN. H. R. 2319. ARTHUR F. DUFFY. The CHAIRMAN. I wonder if you know you are here today and were given an opportunity to appear Saturday because and only because your representative here in Washington requested that we hold a hearing so that you might come? Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate it. I received your letter but in view of the press comment, I wanted the opinion of the American Legion exposed before this committee and I got in touch. with him, and thanks to your good offices and the kindness of the committee, here I am, sir. The Chairman. Mr. Dorn? Mr. DORN. I have no further questions other than to comment that from his testimony here he is a representative of the American Legion and is for this bill and Mr. Duffy represents the naval affairs committee of the American Legion, and he is for the bill. Did you say in your statement that for two conventions of the American Legion it has adopted resolutions favoring this legislation? Mr. SULLIVAN. My statement will cover that to this extent: The two last conventions of the American Legion first declared its stand in 1945, and in 1946 declared its recommendation for the implementation of the principle by legislation. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Rizley? Mr. RIZLEY. I want to ask this question: Your committee has thoroughly studied H. R. 2319 and you came to the conclusion that no sections in the bill should be changed in any respect; is that right? Mr. SULLIVAN. I wish to make this statement: I cannot answer that unequivocally. As of the time of the adoption of this resolution by the national convention, which is the governing body of the American Legion, there was no H. R. 2319 at the time, of course, so we could not as of that date declare for the last comma or semicolon in this or any other bill, but by reasons of subsequent study of this pending legislation, of press comments and reports and such testimony as has come before us, I am authorized by the chairman of the national defense committee to appear, and I do here state for the American Legion that in our judgment this bill embodies the principles which we had in mind and which we declared for at our national convention. Mr. RIZLEY. You are thoroughly familiar with the bill at this time? Mr. SULLIVAN. Yes, sir. I have almost read the print off the page so many times. Mr. RIZLEY. You have no other suggestions to make? Mr. SULLIVAN. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Holifield? Mr. HOLIFIELD. You are aware that certain changes have been made in H. R. 2319 by Senate bill 758? Mr. SULLIVAN. I cannot tell you unless you give me a date.. Mr. HOLIFIELD. Are you familiar with Senate bill 758? You know it is a different bill? Mr. SULLIVAN. Yes, sir; but for the moment I would be unable, to be candid with you, to declare I know in all particulars. I think you are relating to the Marine provisions? Mr. HOLIFIELD. There are several provisions. Mr. SULLIVAN. I think the changes affect the Marine Corps. Mr. HOLIFIELD. Are you in favor of that? Mr. SULLIVAN. On that the American Legion made no declaration, and on the question of the principle of the Marines being incorporated or not, the bill itself is distinct from the Executive order. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Snyder? Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Sullivan, do you think this bill goes far enough in its unification program? |