in not only production, but consumption, our present needs, and the anticipated future needs, how we can increase the output through further exploratory work, wildcatting, secondary recovery, develop ment of tidelands, the use of substitute fuels, the building of pipe lines. tank cars, the whole problem of transportation, tankers, and all that. Also the big problem of synthetics as well as the importation side of it, the development of reserves abroad, the wisdom of shipping steel. one of the critical items at this time, how we are going to deal with the over-all problem. It is so big, so complex, but at the same time so interesting and fascinating, we could continue these hearings ad infinitum, but we have to end some time. It seems to me that we have during the past ? months, at least in a broad way, covered the field pretty well, and the members of this committee have more or less of a clear picture. or at least we hope to have when we reread these hearings, and we meet in executive session and discuss pro and con all the issues that are at stake. On behalf of the committee. I want to thank all of the witnesses who have come, I know, at some inconvenience, and some from considerable distance at considerable expense, to give us the benefit of their views. We will consider the matter pro and con. We have tried to listen to both sides of every argument here. We want to arrive at the truth. The chief purpose was to increase our production of petroleum in order that we can have some assurance and guaranty of an adequate supply in case of an emergency. I want to thank each member of this committee, some of them sitting on two or three other committees and could not attend all of these hearings, but I want to thank all of them, they have been very faithful. very loyal and I appreciate their presence. Within a week I think perhaps Mr. Harlow will be able to have at least an original draft of a report or we will have certain items selected that we can report to this subcommittee. We will go over that thoroughly and take advantage of the committee's frank criticism and constructive suggestions and then present it to our full committee. And I trust that out of all of our wailing and weeping, gnashing of teeth, there will come some good. Mr. VINSON. Will there be a meeting of the subcommittee to take up the questions which we are going to discuss in the report, have an agenda written out by Mr. Harlow, and so on? Mr. SHORT. I think Mr. Harlow has made a digest or memorandum of all hearings down until the past five or six. By the first of next week I should say. Mr. Vinson, we will have a meeting to take up and consider what items we shall include in our report. Mr. VINSON. Mr. Chairman. I want to take this opportunity again of saying that I know of no hearing that has been conducted in years that has been quite as beneficial as this hearing. We are fortunate in having one of the most distinguished men of the House to be the chairman of the committee and our work. I am sure, will bear fruit. Mr. SHORT. Thank you. The committee will stand adjourned. Mr. WILLIAMs. May I ask, inasmuch as the invitation to attend this hearing was to attend a hearing regarding the matter of withdrawal. is it my understanding that-is it a correct understanding that because of the fact the committee does not feel that it has the direction of the Department of the Interior regarding withdrawals, that it intends to arrive at no conclusion regarding withdrawal? Mr. SHORT. Of course, that is entirely up to the Interior Department. It is not under our jurisdiction or control. We will perhaps have something to say about it in the report. Mr. WILLIAMS. I see. Mr. SHORT. And we will welcome any additional evidence that anybody cares to send in to us on that particular question. Mr. WILLIAMs. Yes. Thank you. Mr. SHORT. The committee will stand adjourned. (Whereupon, at 2:45 p. m., the committee adjourned.) INVESTIGATION OF DISABILITY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS IN THE ARMED SERVICES HEARINGS BEFORE THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTIETH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION PURSUANT TO H. Res. 141 and H. Res. 447 FEBRUARY 2, 4, 5, 6, 25, 26, 27, MARCH 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 1948 Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services |