Changes In Defence Department Likely

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 15

Changes In Defence Department Likely

(Rec. 10 p.m.) PALM BEACH (Florida), Nov. 20 The President-elect, Mr John Kennedy, yesterday discussed the reorganisation of the Defence Department with Senator Stuart Symington, of Missouri, a former United States Air Force Secretary and unsuccessful contender for the Democratic Presidential nomination. The two conferred for an hour and 35 minutes at Mr Kennedy’s holiday headquarters. Senator Symington told reporters later that they had not discussed the question of a Cabinet post for him. His name has been in speculation as a possible Secretary of Defence in the Democratic Administration, which will take over from the Republicans on January 20. Senator Symington said he had told Mr Kennedy earlier this year that he would prefer to stay in the Senate, and he still felt that way. He added: “I think I can help Mr Kennedy with programmes in which I believe more by staying in the Senate.” Senator Symington said the defence establishment currently was out of date—“organised fundamentally on the basis of World War II.” He said a study committee, which he headed, on Defence Department reorganisation hoped to complete a report by the end of the month, but pending this he declined to discuss details of possible recommendations. He did say, however, that great technological developments such as those in the field of space must be taken into consideration Referring to the department’s present set-up, he said: “Any organisation based on World War II could not possibly be the right kind of organisation to have in the nuclear space age.” Secrecy Over Cabinet Mr Kennedy is keeping tightly secret the names of the men ne will place in Cabinet posts. He has ordered elaborate precautions against “leaks” to reporters concerning his Cabinet. American Associated Press reported. There has, however, been a seemingly authentic report that the post of Secretary of Commerce will go to the Governor of North Carolina, Mr Luther Hodges, a former vice-president of a big Chicago department store.

Informants said Mr Kennedy is still sorting through batches of names to find the “men of integrity, intelligence, vision and energetic drive” he has said he will place high in his administration. There have been hints he may have at least one Republican in the Cabinet, and that he would like to include a negro and a Southerner among his choices. There have been reports that Mr Kennedy might choose a Republican Secretary of State, promoting the present Under-Secre-tary, Mr Douglas Dillon, to that post. Or he might ask the Re-

publican Secretary of the Treasury, Mr Robert Anderson, to stay on. Mr Anderson was once a democrat. Mr Kennedy is known, however, to be considering a long list of Democrats for the post of Secretary of State, including Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas, Mr Adlai Stevenson (twice an unsuccessful Presidential nominee), Mr Averell Harriman, a former Governor of New York, Mr Chester Bowles. a Congressman from Connecticut, Mr Dean Ru§k. a former Assist-ant-Secretary of State, and Mr David Bruce, a former Undersecretary. The task of changing over the administration was described by American Associated Press as “staggering.” By his inauguration day, Mr Kennedy must complete arrangements for the inauguration itself, his Cabinet, his personal staff, a revised version of the Budget President Eisenhower will submit to Congress in mid-January, legislative proposals and diplomatic appointments.