DEFENSE: Tailored to Fit

Defense Secretary Charles Wilson won his battle in Congress to cut $5 billion out of the Air Force budget for 1954, but in so doing he freely promised that the cut would not damage the combat effectiveness of the Air Force. Last week, attempting dutifully to tailor its cuts to fit the budget, the Air Force gave a fateful answer to Charlie Wilson's promise.

The first cut came, quite naturally, in personnel. Current strength of the Air Force is 980,000, and it was building to a planned strength of 1,061,000 next year. Wilson's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!