760 HISTORY oi llll COMMITTEE ON S< [ENCI AND TECHNOLOGY 



Representative John \V. W'ydler (Republican of New York), a leader in emphasizing 

 aeronauticil R. iS; D., took a strong interest in the progress of other nations in this field. Above, 

 Congressman W'ydler is shown inspecting a new Israeli jet. 



WYDLER AND GOLDWATER MAKE THEIR PITCH 



When Wydler's turn came, he pitched in: 



Dr. Fletcher, you heard Congressman Hechler's question regarding aeronautics. 

 What I would like to discuss with you is the question of whether we are treating 

 aeronautics fairly in the Federal Government. * * * I don't really think that aero- 

 nautics and the space program are the same, although they are treated as part of the 

 same agency. * * * Bur by comparing it to the other programs within your agency, 

 we may be doing it a disservice in our budgetary matters. 



Dr. Fletcher insisted he was coming in with a 13-percent increase for 

 aeronautics, although Goldwater adroitly pointed out that the only 

 way this could be considered an increase was by factoring in the funds 

 which had been impounded and released. 



Goldwater also asked the NASA witnesses how they could square 

 the logic of canceling the quiet engine-short takeoff and landing plane 

 named "QUESTOL" one year after extolling the virtue of investing 

 in its development. This turned into one of the big issues of 1973, 

 with NASA taking the position that Air Force work in that area 

 made QUESTOL unnecessary. The subcommittee disagreed, Symington, 

 Hanna, and Parris joined in the strong support voiced for QUESTOL. 

 Symington, although not on the subcommittee, was the most dogged 

 questioner: 



