The effective work of Harry Truman and his Senate watchdog committee on World War ll defense spending was cited recently when the Senate Armed Services Committee conducted hearings on ‘ defense procurement and management policies. Sen. Henry M. Jackson, D-Wash. said Truman was concerned “that military officials and contractors were wasting tax money and taking advantage of the war to increase spending and profits.” Billions of tax dollars . ” were saved through the watchdoi panel’s efforts, said Jac son, who quoted Truman’s memoirs as follows: “Just the fact that there was such a committee that there was an investigation going on caused a lot ‘of people to be more honest.” It is encouraging in this year of 1981 that Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger already has created a new high-level position to assist him in watchdogging waste and fraud in defense programs. Constructive steps a so are under way to improve the acquisition process. Jackson supported the Reagan Administrations, stepup in defense spending but “put the Pentagon on notice that he will ‘be watching where every dollar goes the Pentagon has not been given a blank check.” The senator said Americans generally support increasing expenditures to shore up the lagging national defense system. “All of us wish ere were no need to increase defense spending, but most agree it ls absolutely essential if we are to safeguard peace and the future of individual liberHe mentioned three defense areas reeguiring plarticular atte tion; elating procurements closely to overall strategic objectives; being sure. that V proposed new weapons and equipment are necessary and enhance the effectiveness of the systems; and giving special scrutiny to weapons systems with cost-overruns and reliability problems. Weinberger and the Pentagon should be encouraged in steps being taken to see that the taxpayers get the most for their money. As America moves to strengthen its military posture, all cone cerned should work vigorously to eliminate waste. Pentagon and defense establishment have special responsibility, with Congress, the Armed Services Committee and the executive branch also having important roles, And if taking a leaf from the book of Harry Truman and his watchdog panel will help, that shouldn’t be overlooked either.