Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce and the United States Information Agency Appropriations, 1955

Senator KILGORE. Now, I would further like to ask a question concerning arrangements for installation of defense features in commercial aircraft in preparation for war, which are being made by the Defense Air Transport Administration, which as I understand it functions under the authority of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation, and whose budget is part of the bill now before us. Is it not a fact that part of the so-called CRAF (Civil Reserve Air Fleet) program for which this Government is paying, through Air Force contracts arranged by DATA and the Commerce Department, some $6 million, provides for flight navigator stations being installed at Government expense in civil transport planes to make them more ready for auxiliary airlift for the military in event of war? Mr. LEE. Yes, sir.

Senator KILGORE. Now, to summarize these questions, if it is true first, that radio navigation aids may be cut off in war, and second, that the Air Force requires navigators for its enormous air transport fleet, and third, that the Government is paying large sums for installing flight navigators stations in civil planes which do not now have them, faced with these three facts, Why is the Civil Aeronautics Administration giving permission to commercial airlines to fly without navigators? Mr. LEE. Because we only have authority to require air carriers to meet the requirements of the Civil Air Regulations for safe operating practices. We have no authority to require navigators for the purpose of national defense. Senator KILGORE. Is not the permission which you have granted to do away with navigators a step away from the state of instant readiness for war in which our civil fleet is supposed to be? Is not your permission, therefore, a move in the opposite direction from airlift preparedness?

Mr. LEE. Senator, I believe a large group of well-trained experienced civil navigators would be a definite asset in case of an emergency airlift operation or war. However, as I stated previously, our authority does not extend to require air carriers to carry navigators just to provide airlift preparedness.

Senator KILGORE. If there will be huge military demands for navigators in time of war, should not the Government give consideration to maintaining a pool of trained navigators presently employed by the commercial lines?

Mr. LEE. Sir, I believe a pool of trained navigators is very desirable. If the military consider that a pool of civil navigators is essential for purposes of national defense, consideration should certainly be given by the Government for meeting that need.

Senator KILGORE. If our Government set up an airlift to Indochina, would we not need navigators?

Mr. LEE. It would depend on the route to be flown. Certainly, flying via the Pacific, certain route segments would require navigators.

BUREAU OF FOREIGN COMMERCE

STATEMENTS OF SAM ANDERSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS; MARSHALL SMITH, DEPUTY TO ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS; JAMES C. WORTHY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE (ADMINISTRATION); OSCAR H. NIELSON, DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET OFFICER; LORING K. MACY, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF FOREIGN COMMERCE; REX ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE OFFICER

RESTORATION OF HOUSE CUT

Senator SALTONSTALL (presiding). The Chair understands the next matter for consideration is the Bureau of Foreign Commerce. I note there are 2 appropriation items for consideration, 1 relating to "Salaries and expenses" for which the House allowed $1,500,000, a reduction of $1,300,000 below the estimate, and the other item concerns "Export control" for which the House allowed the budget estimate of $3,600,000. I understand the Department asks for restoration of the House cut of $1,300,000; is that right? Mr. SAM ANDERSON. That is correct.

Senator SALTONSTALL. The record will show the amendment requested and the justification statements filed in support of the two items.

(The material referred to follows:)

BUREAU OF FOREIGN COMMERCE

Overall summary of requirements

Appropriation, 1954.

Prior year balance reappropriated.

Comparative transfer from:

"Salaries and expenses, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce".

"Salaries and expenses, Defense Production activities, Department of Commerce"

Total.

Deduct: 1954 reappropriation for cost of reduction-in-force..

Base for 1955.