 Time for the Lawn Jean Chronoscope, a television journal of the important dishes of the hour, brought to you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A presentation of the Lawn Jean Wittner What's Up, maker of Lawn Jean, the World's Most Honored Heart, and Wittner, a distinctly companion to the World Honored Heart. Good evening. This is Frank Knight. May I introduce our co-editors for this edition of the Lawn Jean Chronoscope? Mr. William Bradford Huey, editor of the American Mercury, and Colonel Anselm Talbert, an editor of the New York Herald Tribune. Our distinguished guest for this evening is the Honorable Frank C. Pace Jr., Secretary of the Army. The opinions expressed are thoroughly those of the people. Mr. Pace, for several days, the newspapers have reflected some optimism over the possibilities of the truth in Korea. Now, as Secretary of the Army, sir, do you have anything very hopeful to say to our audience tonight the possibilities of the truth in Korea? I think, Mr. Huey, it's important that I should say that I don't think the American people should try to evaluate the changes that occur from day to day. I think it's important that we wait until we find out what ultimately happened. We are seeking an honorable peace. We are hopeful that we will get it. We're making effort and effort. Until we do get it, I think that over-optimism or over-pessimism is unwarranted. Yeah. Secretary, are we learning anything from the Korean War? A great deal, Colonel Talbert. There's just no question about it. Over in Korea, we've learned a lot about fighting guerrillas, about the Chinese mass attack and how to meet it. We've learned a lot about the use of new weapons that we didn't even have before Korea started. I think it's fair to say that our military tactical support has improved tremendously during the period of Korean operation, and don't forget that for the first time in history, we've learned how to fight for free nations under the United Nations. That, in my judgment, is an important factor. Are you saying that the American people have gained something from Korea that they're real plus values in Korea in fighting? Unquestionably. They're big plus values. You candidly admit that since we are at war, are you trying to use it as a training? Just no question that since we are at war, we're trying to profit in every way to make America and the United Nations stronger. We've rotated 250,000 men out of Korea, 250,000 trained veterans that make this a stronger nation. That's one of the many benefits that have come from a war that we did not seek and that we would like to end honorably. How's the morale of our troops over there, Mr. Secretary? It's a matter of real marvel to me. The morale of the troops over there. Not to just military people, but people who are normally critically minded come back and say that the morale of the troops is unbelievable. It's an unattractive country. It's a difficult war. But the courage, the morale, and the young man of America is to me the most encouraging thing that I've seen in this whole period. I just want to say that communists thought we were soft. They thought they could drive us into the sea. The young man of America gave them the lie. And frankly, I'm proud to be Secretary of the Army for that as well as a lot of other reasons. One other point that our people, I think our audience has noted, there's been a feeling, particularly in the last week or two, that if we don't get a truce, that we are going to fight a more aggressive war, that steps are going to be taken to make it harder on the enemy. Now, is that a correct assumption? Well, let me say this. What our plans are, I don't think it's wise for me or anybody else to reveal. I think it is fair to say that we have given this matter careful consideration. We do know what our plans are in the event of certain alternatives. Stating them, it seems to me, is unwise at this time. Mr. Secretary, we have been hearing a lot about atomic artillery. Have you really got anything in that department? We certainly have. We have not actually fired an atomic missile. We have fired the equivalent of it. We know of the accuracy, the competence of this particular weapon to operate with devastating power in all kinds of weather, night or day. I think it is a substantial implement to our total arsenal of weapons. Is atomic warfare important to the Army now, or is the Army attaching a great deal of importance to the development of atomic weapons? Tremendous importance to the development of atomic weapons. We're working with our two sister services in this field. The atomic artillery is only one facet of the Army's interest in this field. We have a very definite interest, a very aggressive interest in the guided missile field, and I think it's fair and honest to say that we have made really tremendous progress in this field. One other thing that has been bothering our audience, I'm sure, and that is the possible effect of the steel strike on our war effort. Now, has the war effort been hurt by the steel strike as yet, sir? Well, I can say it's been bothering me. And I think that the best way to describe it is to say that if you speak about today, the war effort has not been affected. The best way I know to describe it is to say that if you settle the steel strike tomorrow, you'd still be feeling the results of the steel strike on the war effort three, four, or five months from now. In other words, it's something that projects itself into the future. So as one of the directors of our war effort, you state candidly that you have suffered from the steel strike already. Unquestionably in terms of the long-range war effort plan. And if the steel strike is not settled soon, why it can be really serious for you, can't it? No question about it. Looking at the overall picture, do you think we're any closer to a general war now than we were a year ago? That's probably one of the most difficult questions you could ask any man. If I had to answer that question, my judgment would be that we are certainly no closer to it. And I think a little further away from it. I'd like to expand on that just for a moment, if I may. It's very good news. I feel that our strength has grown tremendously in the course of the past two years. Not just in terms of the things that we have produced, but in terms of our capability to produce, in terms of the developments that we've had in the research and development field, and in terms of our development in terms of trained manpower. I feel we are infinitely stronger, and I don't think all of the evidence is tangible. I think much of it is intangible. Men who have had fighting experience, men who have had two years training, the plants that have been expanded three-fold, four-fold, and five-fold mean that this is a stronger, more powerful nation today. I think that there is a strong will. I think that the free world has been tested. I think it's been the effort of Soviet Russia to test us. And I think that we have to date met the test in a fashion that should be, it seems to me, satisfying to a great many people in this country. I say it is to me, and while I would not want to be categorical and answer your original question, I say that if I had to evaluate it, I would say we were a little further away from it. Mr. Pace, since you are Secretary of the Army, let me ask you this, sir. The trend, a great deal has been said about the trend being away from armies and about the Army of the United States perhaps having to take a back seat to the Navy or the Air Force. Now, as a matter of fact, where do you stand now as regards expenditures in relation to the Air Force and the Navy? Well, as regards expenditures, I would say we stand, Air Force will probably expand more money in 1953, Army number two and the Navy number three. In terms of appropriations for 1953, the Army stands third on the list. So it is a fact now that we are appropriating less money now for the Army than for either the Navy or the Air Force. That's right. I point out that the Congress appropriated more money for the Army in 1951 than either of the other two services and we were number two in 1952. Are you satisfied with this situation, Mr. Secretary? Well, any Secretary of the Army who said he was satisfied with the funds given to him would not be speaking the complete truth. I do want to say this. I am perfectly aware of the tremendous problem that faced the people who had to make the ultimate decision. In my opinion, they made the decision honestly and what they thought was the best interest of the country. I don't think there's any value in my evaluating whether that was wise or unwise. All I can say to you is my job to take what I've got and spend it as intelligently and as carefully as is possible in the months and days ahead. Has there been any appreciation, have you noticed any falling off of morale among Army men as a result of the fact that you are number three now in appropriation? Not one whip. Remember, we aren't number three in expenditures and remember we got combat duty pay for the man on the ground. I say Army morale is high. Now that combat duty pay, that means that your combat soldiers get paid more than a soldier that's not in combat. That's right. And that's something I believed in, something I fought for and something I think is completely equitable. How much more can you tell us what a combat soldier gets fifty dollars a month? That's correct. Fifty dollars a month more. That's right. I think maybe forty-five or fifty. I'm not sure of the exact so. I think maybe it's forty-five. Well, there's a final question, sir. What does the Army want from the American people now? Do you want universal military training? Do you want more money? Or what does the Army want tonight, sir? Tonight the Army just wants the confidence and support of the American people. If we have that, we'll ask for no more than we need and we'll give them what I think is necessary in this period. All we want from the American people is their confidence and support. We could use UMT, too. And does the Army expect to fight for UMT in the next Congress? The Army will fight for UMT. I believe in it and I'll fight for it. And you think that with the world, with the realities such as they are today that we need it in order to safeguard the country. I don't think you can afford to be without it. It's the cheapest means of providing manpower reserve strength. Well, I'm sure that our audience very much appreciates your forthright views, Mr. Pace, and thank you for being with us, sir. The editorial board for this edition of the Lawn Jean Chronoscope was Mr. William Bradford Huey and Colonel Alcel E. Talbot. Our distinguished guest was the Honorable Frank C. Pace Jr., Secretary of the Army. You know, many thousands of men like to think of a watch as a permanent possession to be worn for years and years and then perhaps proudly handed down to junior. 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