Dear
General Johnson:1 Thank you for the confidence you have expressed in this Administration. I am aware of the concern, which has been historical with us, that some day this nation might establish in the Defense organization a military man who would successfully defy civilian controls and set himself up as the "man on horseback."2 This worry was voiced throughout the unification struggle, as you know, and I find the same concern reflected in your approach to the new Reorganization Plan.
I believe that the answer to this question is to be found in the language of the law itself, and in the function and powers of both the President and the Congress in our system of government.
As for the statute, amendments made to that act in 1949 gave the Secretary of Defense almost unlimited control over all activities of the Defense Department.3 He controls the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under the President. He controls the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under the President. He controls, through the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Staff and its Director. This is all a matter of law and is clearly set out in the statute.
With regard to the office of the President, I think I need only state that the relationship of the Chief Executive to the Defense Department is one of direct command. Consequently, there is ready and immediate authority to curb arbitrary action taken by any person, military or civilian. Moreover, in all Executive matters of substance, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is given no power of decision.4 As presiding officer he does have the management responsibility over the assisting staff--nothing more.
Additional safeguards rest with the Congress, which controls the size of the armed forces and, by the power of the purse, controls their very life. Arbitrary action in any government department, and if not promptly handled by the Executive Branch itself, ultimately finds its way to the Congress and is dealt with there by investigation and by Congressional hearings before legislative, appropriations, or other committees.
Frankly, in the face of this panoply of civilian control over arbitrary action and excessive militarism, I find it difficult to see any valid reason for concern.
The Reorganization Plan will unquestionably improve the efficiency of the Defense Department and will make it possible for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to devote more of their time to their fundamental and grave responsibilities. For these reasons, I am hopeful that the Congress will soon approve it.
Again, thank you for writing to me on this very important matter.5 Sincerely
