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How do you do, Ladies and gentlemen, certainly I'm delighted to have this my guest at this time, not only a very dear friend of mine, but a man who combines within him one of the finest characters and the greatest minds that it's ever been my privilege to come in contact with.

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This man is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the United States Senate. And as chairman of that full committee, I'm delighted to have this chance to ask him a question about the statue of our defense. And of course, all of you know who he is when you see him here on the screen.

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Our good friend Dick Russell of Georgia Senator, Or how do you think that we're doing in this matter of defence? Are we doing enough? Well, I think we have a program moving forward now, Senator, But we are in very grave danger unless we press it very vigorously.

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As of today, the Strategic Air Command is still a and is a deterrent to war. But two years from now, if we're behind in the production of missiles, while we will be in very grave danger, I think that the subcommittee of my committee has performed a very real service in the hearings that they have had, and public opinion throughout the country has compelled the administration to address itself more in this country and Russia in the field of in a continental a long range missiles.

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Do you feel as though, and the president's recommended budget that he's asked for a sufficient amount of money for the missile work to enable us to catch up with the Soviet Union? I think he has asked for almost as much money as we can spend well in the missile field.

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But I have grave doubts as to whether we are asking for enough for the Strategic Air Command to enable it to bridge this gap until the missiles are operational. And I also have some doubts as to the sufficiency of our submarine program to launch a missile that will be one of the great deterrents to war.

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When we get these submarines that can go anywhere on the waters and we'll have 15, 1800 mile range with ballistic missiles. Do you think that we're going to have to be dependent upon the Strategic Air Command until such time? Oh, indeed missiles until these missiles are operational and we have ironed out all of the bugs, and there'll be a great deal of activity in your state until that is done.

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While we must continue to strengthen the Strategic Air Command in this field of manned aircraft, uh, this is the Soviet Union catching up with us rapidly in that particular field? Yes, they have made great progress in the long range of bombers, but I still think that we have superiority in that immediate field.

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But of course, that won't mean anything if they get accurate five miles range missiles into. Well, Senator, I can say for one that with you, chairman of that particular committee and given a lot of your time and attention to it, I feel much better about it.

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And I'm sure those of us in the nation who know you feel better knowing that you're in charge of it. Now, I'd like you've always been a great champion of a strong national defense, senator, and you've helped us tremendously in the fights we've had on the floor.

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The knowledge that that you're the leader of it certainly helps us a great deal. Now, let me. Just change the subject. Just a minute. You have many official jobs here, but you've got one unofficially, which you've had for a long time. And that is the leader of the Southern block.

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In this matter of civil rights, do you believe that there will be any civil rights legislation brought up this year? Oh, I don't think so, Senator. Of course, we have our friends who depend upon the attacks on the South as a stock in trade to stay in Congress.

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Who will? If the administration pursues its present course, that should be a breathing time. I don't think that we will have any real threat. We may have some fights. How do you feel about this Civil Rights Commission which the president has appointed or nominated? Well, I thought it was unnecessary Senator Smithers to have the commission, but of course was greatly gratified that we could get men of the statue of former Governor Carleton of your state and former Governor Battle of Virginia on the commission that leads me to hope that we will at least be represented and at the southern viewpoint will not be submerged for any lack of pressing to the public attention.

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All right, sir. Well, thank you very much for being on the program. Pleasure to be on the program with you Always understand you, ladies and gentlemen, for looking at