DEFENCE BILL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 13

DEFENCE BILL

, Compromise By Congress WASHINGTON, June 30. The House of Representatives today passed a compromise 40,000 million-dollar defence spending bill that would add 660,008.000 dollars to President Elsenhower's military budget The measure, carrying funds for the armed forces in the fiscal year starting tomorrow, was sent to the Senate where it was expected to win quick approval. It was worked out by a conference committee after the House and Senate passed different versions. The extra funds were listed tor such items as a conventionally powered aircraft-carrier, the B-70 bomber programme and Air Force satellite projects. The bill carried 170 million dollars to put the B-52 bomber attack force on a limited airborne alert status. This was double the sum the President asked for. Other features of the bill were! An increase of 163,102.000 dollars above the budget for modernisation of the Army. Ari Increase of 241 million dollars for the Navy’s Polaris submarine programme. This would provide five fullyfunded and seven partiallyfunded submarines. The Defence Department's plan had called tor three and nine, respectively. An increase of 145 million dollars for Air Force space programmes Including the Samos reconnaissance satellite, thq Midas early warning satellite, and the Discoverer exploratory satellite programme, q The Senate later passed the bill by roll call vote and it was sent on to the White House for Presidential approval. In spite of the additions made by Congress, a Democratic Presidential candidate and former Air Force Secretary, Senator Stuart Symington. said the measure was “not adequate for our national security.” He said he did not "believe it wise to futher compromise with our security."