National Affairs: Plans for 1955

Defense Secretary Wilson announced last week that:

¶ The Administration would ask Congress in January to continue the draft for four years and establish a modified UMT that would take some young men (up to 100,000) for six months basic training and a period of reserve service.

¶ The new defense budget will be between 1954's $34 billion and 1955's $29 billion; some money will be saved on administration, but more will be spent for a pay raise (3% to 5%), continental defense, a new reserve program, and missile production and research.

¶ The Air Force will get more money and the Navy, although it will probably have another big carrier, may not get the broad shipbuilding program it has requested.