U.S. DEFENCE DEPARTMENT

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 11

U.S. DEFENCE DEPARTMENT

Reorganisation By President

(Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 21.

President Eisenhower had not changed his position regarding the need for a reorganisation of the Defence Department, the White House press secretary (Mr James Hagerty) said last night. “But the President has to make sure that any plans for reorganisation do not, ;in effect, bold up the necessary acceleration of the defence effort that is needed, and had to be carried through," Mr Hagerty said. He spoke in a radio interview. Mr Hagerty was told that in bls State of- the Union message the President spoke in fairly vigorous terms about reorganising the Defence Department. "And he seemed to be in a mood to knock heads together to end what he termed harmful Inter-service disputes in the armed forces" the interviewer said. "And yet a few days later at his press conference he seemed to take an almost detached view of the defence organisation situation."

Mr Hagerty was asked whether he could account for, or felt that there was a marked difference in the President's outlook. "No, I did not feel that there was that marked difference.” he replied, 'and I did not agree with the interpretations that were placed upon his remarks. . . .” “I think that tor a man who has spent the years in the military that the President has. and is now President of the United States, to expect that he would completely change his position in three days is really just silly. He also ...

does not go around beating the table and thumping his breast “We expect—l fully expect—that the President will send to Congress . . . during this session and probably fairly soon, plans fo. reorganisation of the department.”