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Dinner for Representative Henry P. Smith III, Tonawanda, NY, April 18, 1966
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4525923
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Dinner for Representative Henry P. Smith III, Tonawanda, NY, April 18, 1966
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D20, folder "Dinner for Representative Henry
P. Smith III, Tonawanda, NY, April 18, 1966" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D20 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY OF SPEECH
MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 18, 1966
SPEECH EXCERPTS--DINNER FOR REP. HENRY P. SMITH III AT TONAWANDA, N. Y.
It's time somebody blew the whistle on the Johnson-Humphrey Administration
for its blunders in handling our foreign affairs.
Despite attempts by Administration officials to put the best possible face
on things, it's clear that tragic mistakes are being made by this Administration--
not only in Vietnam but in Europe.
Here is the record:
1. The Johnson-Humphrey Administration is primarily to blame for the recent
political unrest in Vietnam because the extraordinary attention showered on
Premier Ky last February at Honolulu triggered action by his rivals.
2. The recent civil disorders in Vietnam hurt the war effort by disrupting
bomb supply lines and causing a cutback in bombing activity and by diverting some
South Vietnamese troops from war duties.
3. The recent political turmoil in Saigon made it easier for Communist
guerrillas to mount their devastating mortar attack April 13 against Tansonnhut
Air Base, which killed seven U. S. servicemen and wounded 155 American and
South Vietnamese servicemen. A high-ranking South Vietnamese security officer
stated that "security around the air base was relaxed because of the political
situation," He explained that some of the troops that normally would have
patrolled the outside perimeter of the base were confined to quarters or sent
to help keep down civil disorder.
4. France's impending pullout from NATO has seriously weakened the NATO
alliance, and the Johnson-Humphrey Administration must bear some of the blame for
this development.
5. The combat readiness of U. S. forces in Europe is at a lower level than
at any time since before the Berlin crisis of 1961, both in quantity and quality,
because of drawdowns of men and material for Vietnam.
6. The timing of the Defense Department withdrawal of 15,000 Army specialists
from West Germany to train recruits for Vietnam duty was unbelievably stupid,
coming as it did when NATO was shaken to the core by France's upcoming withdrawal.
***
-2-
TONAWANDA, N. Y. SPEECH EXCERPTS - APRIL 18, 1966
Last Thursday (April 14) I charged the Johnson-Humphrey Administration with
mismanagement in connection with bomb shortages, pileup of ships at Vietnam, and
diminishing of our overall combat readiness. The Pentagon promptly denied the
charges.
On the same day, a U. S. military spokesman in Saigon said that U. S. air
action against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam was reduced on Wednesday (April 13)
because of a shortage of bombs at some airfields.
Last weekend the Pentagon revealed it is buying back for $21 apiece 5,570
$1,70
750-pound bombs sold to a West German fertilizer firm two years ago for
apiece. Is there a bomb shortage? Figure it out for yourself.
***
Let no one misinterpret Republican policy on Vietnam. Republicans are
dedicated to thwarting Communist aggression there. We have therefore supported
Democratic Administrations in the carrying out of this basic objective since 1961.
We will continue to do so. But the Loyal Opposition does not have to be a silent
opposition. When the Johnson-Humphrey Administration makes mistakes in Vietnam,
we must point them out or we will be shirking our responsibility to the people.
***
The Pentagon has sought to refute reports of bomb shortages in Vietnam by
stating that our planes are dropping bombs at 2½ times the rate of the Korean
War. I should hope we have far greater air war capability in 1966 than in 1951.
That statement did not prove we have enough bombs of all sizes. It was an
attempt to bury bomb shortage charges through sheer weight of statistics. It
was intended to overwhelm while not really refuting the charges. As a matter of
fact, the statement issued April 14 contained several admissions of weapon
shortages and of extraordinary action taken to solve them.
***
President Johnson is acting like a very confused man. First he talks about
an income tax increase to halt inflation, and then he talks about cutting spending.
He is confusing the American people by thinking out loud. But Republicans aren't
confused. They know the way to stop inflation is to cut federal spending.
House Republicans are building an economy record, We're voting to cut
non-military spending 5 per cent across the board. Most Democrats are voting
against these economy moves. They're for spending more on Great Society programs
while we fight a billion-dollar-a-month war and prices keep going up.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY OF SPEECH
MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 18, 1966
SPEECH EXCERPTS--DINNER FOR REP. HENRY P. SMITH III AT TONAWANDA, N. Y.
It's time somebody blew the whistle on the Johnson-Humphrey Administration
for its blunders in handling our foreign affairs.
Despite attempts by Administration officials to put the best possible face
on things, it's clear that tragic mistakes are being made by this Administration--
not only in Vietnam but in Europe.
Here is the record:
1. The Johnson-Humphrey Administration is primarily to blame for the recent
political unrest in Vietnam because the extraordinary attention showered on
Premier Ky last February at Honolulu triggered action by his rivals.
2. The recent civil disorders in Vietnam hurt the war effort by disrupting
bomb supply lines and causing a cutback in bombing activity and by diverting some
South Vietnamege troops from war duties.
3. The recent political turmoil in Saigon made it easier for Communist
guerrillas to mount their devastating mortar attack April 13 against Tansonnhut
Air Base, which killed seven U. S. servicemen and wounded 155 American and
South Vietnamese servicemen, A high-ranking South Vietnamese security officer
stated that "security around the air base was relaxed because of the political
situation." He explained that some of the troops that normally would have
patrolled the outside perimeter of the base were confined to quarters or sent
to help keep down civil disorder.
4. France's impending pullout from NATO has seriously weakened the NATO
alliance, and the Johnson-Humphrey Administration must bear some of the blame for
this development.
5. The combat readiness of U.S. forces in Europe is at a lower level than
at any time since before the Berlin crisis of 1961, both in quantity and quality,
because of drawdowns of men and material for Vietnam.
6. The timing of the Defense Department withdrawal of 15,000 Army specialists
from West Germany to train recruits for Vietnam duty was unbelievably stupid,
coming as it did when NATO was shaken to the core by France's upcoming withdrawal.
***
GERALD R.FORD LIBRARI
-2-
TONAWANDA, N. Y. SPEECH EXCERPTS APRIL 18, 1966
Last Thursday (April 14) I charged the Johnson-Humphrey Administration with
mismanagement in connection with bomb shortages, pileup of ships at Vietnam, and
diminishing of our overall combat readiness. The Pentagon promptly denied the
charges.
On the same day, a U. S. military spokesman in Saigon said that U. S. air
action against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam was reduced on Wednesday (April 13)
because of a shortage of bombs at some airfields.
Last weekend the Pentagon revealed it is buying back for $21 apiece 5,570
750-pound bombs sold to a West German fertilizer firm two years ago for $1.20
apiece. Is there a bomb shortage? Figure it out for yourself.
***
Let no one misinterpret Republican policy on Vietnam. Republicans are
dedicated to thwarting Communist aggression there. We have therefore supported
Democratic Administrations in the carrying out of this basic objective since 1961.
We will continue to do so. But the Loyal Opposition does not have to be a silent
opposition. When the Johnson-Humphrey Administration makes mistakes in Vietnam,
we must point them out or we will be shirking our responsibility to the people.
***
The Pentagon has sought to refute reports of bomb shortages in Vietnam by
stating that our planes are dropping bombs at 2½ times the rate of the Korean
War. I should hope we have far greater air war capability in 1966 than in 1951.
That statement did not prove we have enough bombs of all sizes. It was an
attempt to bury bomb shortage charges through sheer weight of statistics. It
was intended to overwhelm while not really refuting the charges. As a matter of
fact, the statement issued April 14 contained several admissions of weapon
shortages and of extraordinary action taken to solve them.
***
President Johnson is acting like a very confused man. First he talks about
an income tax increase to halt inflation, and then he talks about cutting spending.
He is confusing the American people by thinking out loud. But Republicans aren't
confused. They know the way to stop inflation is to cut federal spending.
House Republicans are building an economy record, We're voting to cut
non-military spending 5 per cent across the board. Most Democrats are voting
against these economy moves. They're for spending more on Great Society programs
while we fight a billion-dollar-a-month war and prices keep going up.
###