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Reserve Officers Association Convention, Grand Rapids, MI, July 27, 1949
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Reserve Officers Association Convention, Grand Rapids, MI, July 27, 1949
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The original documents are located in Box D13, folder "Reserve Officers Association
Convention, Grand Rapids, MI, July 27, 1949" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press
Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D13 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SPEECH BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, JR.
RESERVE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION CONVENTION AT
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
July 27, 1949
Mr. Hanna, Governor Williams, General Vaughn, distin-
guished guests, and fellow members of the Reserve Officers'
Association, as the Representative in Congress from this district
in Michigan I welcome you to our great community on behalf of the
citizens of the City of Grand Rapids. We are delighted to have
you with us as our guests. We know your visit will be enjoyable.
Further, I am certain the work of the delegates on the business
agenda will be successful. In passing, let me compliment and
congratulate Major Hanna, his working staff and the members of
the Grand Rapids R.O.A. chapter for their unselfish and untiring
efforts in preparing for this convention. They deserve our most
enthusiastic commendation.
Grand Rapids, your host, is well known throughout this
country and even worldwide as the Convention Crossroads of America,
the Gateway to the Playground of America, and as the Furniture
Capital of the World. We are rightfully proud of these titles
that have been bestowed upon us, and our citizens will do their
utmost to live up to our reputation.
My good and able friend Frank Whitwam, Manager of the
Convention Bureau, will effectively and graciously meet the
convention's every need, just as he and his staff have done for
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
- 2 -
countless other gatherings here in the past years. We have, as
the Convention Crossroads of America, a reputation to maintain
of cordiality and service, and I trust, when you leave, there
will be a true desire to return.
Michigan is rightfully proud of its vast recreational
resources. With all due deference to those who come from other
regions where nature's blessings are abundant, we Michiganders
believe our recreational assets, both in the lower and upper
peninsulas, are unsurpassed. Grand Rapids is the Gateway to
this vast playground area. After the serious business of this
convention has been properly laid aside, please extend your
stay by a trip to the multitude of surrounding lakes, or Lake
Michigan, where the inducements for complete and utter relaxation
are overwhelming.
As a long-time resident of Grand Rapids, and conse-
quently one endowed with the belief that this city has an untouched
worldwide reputation in the field of fine furniture, I must mention
that we hold the title of the Furniture Capital of the World. In
one of your off moments please visit the Furniture Museum and the
various furniture exhibits by our manufacturers.
I would be unjust to those in Grand Rapids who are
active in the Reserve training program, to pass along without
commenting on what our reserves here have done in the past and
FORD is LIBRARY SERALD
- 3 -
what they are doing now. This portion of Michigan is literally
a reservists' paradise. The Naval Reserve Unit in our new
Armory has a long-standing tradition of being one of the finest
outfits in the country. In 1927 and again in 1928 the unit was
awarded the top honors nationally for surface divisions. The
same degree of excellency prevails today.
The National Guard unit, part of the 126th Infantry,
has always done a magnificent job both in peacetime and in war.
The achievements, individually and as a unit, are indelibly
written in the annals of history.
The Reserve units in the Grand Rapids area for the
Air Force and Army are equally potent and effective. The
details are better known to many of our distinguished guests
so I will simply comment by reiterating that the Grand Rapids
area is a reservists' home, therefore, it is most appropriate
that the R.O.A. should hold its annual convention in such a
community.
Seldom does a politician speak to such a large
gathering in an atmosphere where he should have so many friends.
To date, in my limited career in Congress I have already seen
the difficulties in trying to please all points of view on any
or all issues. It just cannot be done, so when a Representative
makes a public appearance he is inevitably faced with those
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
- 4 -
who are for or against. Consequently, the atmosphere, at least
in
instances
among certain parties, can be anything but sweetness.
This occasion should be somewhat different from my
point of view, for my voting record to date is in accord with
what should be the attitude of most of those in the audience.
I was one of the Members of the House who as a matter of record
voted for the first military pay raise bill during this session
of Congress. This should cause no brickbats from those on
active duty in the military service. Furthermore, this military
pay raise bill was on the recommended legislative action list
submitted by the R.O.A. to the 81st Congress, so my point of
view on that legislation should cause no ill feeling between my
fellow R.O.A.'ers and myself.
I am able at this time to report good news along another
line. The job is not fully completed but no hitches or road
blocks should develop before Congress adjourns. Most of you
are acquainted with the fact that the 80th Congress enacted
Public Law 810, better known as the Reserve Retirement Act.
This legislation was long overdue as the needed incentive for
the building up of our Reserve components of the armed services.
As is the case with most new legislation, it takes time
to work out and solve administrative difficulties. Public Law
810 was no exception. First, the Comptroller General interpreted
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
- 5 -
the law to hold that June 29, 1948 was the operative date for the
beginning of "a year of satisfactory service" for retirement
purposes. It is doubted by many that this was Congrees's
intention, but right or wrong that was the controlling legal
interpretation.
As a result, however, all branches of the Armed
services found themselves totally unprepared to supply the
necessary correspondence courses and other material to Reservists
on time so the requisite 50 points could be earned during the
first year of the law's operation. The records show-and I am
not criticizing the Army, Navy, or Air services-that those
Reservists who depended on correspondence courses and the like,
rather than on regular drill periods, could not possible earn the
essential points the first year.
Early during this session of the 81st Congress this
situation was called to my attention and as a result I introduced
H.R. 3039, which changed the starting date for Public Law 810
to July 1, 1949. Subsequently, Senator Johnson of South Carolina
introduced an identical bill in the Senate. The legislative
wheels moved slowly but I am pleased to report that the House
of Representatives on July 18th approved a bill identical to
H.R. 3039. Progress is now apparent in the Senate and I am
confident that before we adjourn this greatly-needed legislation
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
- 6 -
will be on the statute books. The enactment of this law will
re-invigorate the Reserve program, which had suffered a severe
blow after such high hopes had been raised by the action of the
80th Congress.
After the last war I became a member of the R.O:N.S.
(Reserve Officers' Naval Service). We had a limited group that
met regularly to discuss naval problems in a strictly one-service
atmosphere. At the same time the local chapter of the R.O.A.
was accomplishing its mission in much the same climate. In
view of the military unification act of 1947 this appeared to
be a paradoxical situation, even on the local level. Apparently,
the same was evident to the national officials in both R.O.A.
and R.O.N.S., for in 1948 the two became unified with one common
objective or mission, namely, the over-all national security
of the United States by means of an adequate military establishment.
The delicate problem of unifying the R.O.N.S. and
R.O.A. on the national and local levels was no less complicated,
in a smaller way, than the difficulties confronting those in the
various branches of the regular military establishment. However,
the job was done by the reserve officers and as a result, our
military forces are strongly bulwarked by a vast and cohesive force
of civilian reservists who know and understand military problems
because of past experiences in World War II. I respectfully
GERALO FORD LIBRARY
- 7 -
submit that the singleness of purpose now existent within the
R.O.A. should be an example to the regulars in the national
military establishment.
Let me review briefly my own reaction to the unification
problem and because of recent personal experiences perhaps I can
clarify a point or two. In December, 1945, while still on
active duty with the Navy, I heard the first news about unifica-
tion. My question was, "Why?" The reaction was natural, for I
had seen all branches of the service operate most effectively
in the Pacific War. In practically all instances the military
successes against the Japanese resulted from teamwork of the finest
sort. I wondered why the plan, which had such phenominal success
against a wily opponent with all the geographical benefits on
his side, was to be junked.
Upon my retirement to civilian life early in 1946,
my thinking on the question of unification undoubtedly followed
that of many reservists. The law enacted in July, 1947 appeared
to have considerable merit, particularly under the able leadership
of the late Secretary of Defense James Forrestal. The news of
the Key West agreement further strengthened my belief in the
new set-up. The assignment of missions to each branch of the
service at the Key West meeting of the joint chiefs of staff was
a blue point for our future national security. It is my under-
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
- 8 -
standing that this has now been supplemented by the subsequent
Newport agreement.
From all indications there are still some unsettled
problems within the national military establishment, although
one or two have been decided in recent weeks. At this time, before
such a distinguished and well-informed group of experts, I make
no comment on the raging controversy over the cancellation of
the Navy's super carrier. Reference is only made to point out
the new question which has arisen, namely, what is to be the
function under present law or proposed law, of the joint chiefs
of staff and the Secretary of National Defense.
Certainly all here are, or should be, familiar
with the Tydings Bill in the Senate and the modified
bill on the same subject which recently passed the
House. At the moment the issue is being thrashed out
in conference.
I am no seer so will not predict the outcome
but, as is inevitable, I assume a compromise will
result incorporating the necessary procurement and
fiscal reforms but denying in part the requested
revisions in the chief of staff set-up.
Perhaps during the course of this convention,
the delegates will consider the advisability of approving
or disapproving some of the principles of the Tydings
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
- 9 -
Bill. Because there are many sound thinking people
on both sides of this issue, I recommend caution and
deliberate thinking. Do not get swept off your feet
by generalized and superficial statements which
allege that over one billion dollars can be saved by
the adoption of the Tydings Bill intact. The House
Committee on Armed Services and the House itself have
gone on record for the proposed procurement budgeting
and fiscal reforms. The field of dispute is thereby
restricted.
Chairman Vinson, chairman of the House
Committee, according to reports, is "from Missouri"
and consequently wants to know the need for further
concentration of authority in our military set-up.
Many well informed citizens, both the military and
civilians, ask in good faith, why must we go beyond
the Unification Act of 1947 plus the bill recently
approved by the House. I only ask that each of you
give this important question your best attention and
judgment. Your opinions both in the various branches
of the service and in the R.O.A. can and will be
helpful to Congress. We as citizens of this great
nation should not compromise on the issue whether or
FORD & LIBRARY CERTID
- 10 -
not the United States should have the best in
military strength within the limitations of our
economy. The differences of opinion as to the method
and means by which that pinnacle can be reached will
be resolved by the wisdom of those in Congress on the
legislative level, by our able military leaders who
have the know how and experience acquired on the field
of battle and by the American citizens whose fundamental
good sense somehow invariably clears the mist and
straightens the course. This is a tried and true
method under a republic and in conformity with our
democratic ideals.
In closing let me repeat again, Grand Rapids
and Western Michigan welcomes you and hopes that you
have a most successful convention.
FORD i LIBRARY 038860