, 1923-08-24
The Army's Peace Service

In the United States more than in any otneI
country the military forces are MADE OF PracIean
use in time of peace as well as an eilectt.e ase 81
for protection In time of war. This Is not d new
adonted Dolicy it has been our policy from the be-
ginning. ..o.
M RECENTLY pointed out by Secretary of war weeks,
,hat the United States army had charge of con-
struction of the Chesapeake and ONO CANAL the
Erie canal, and in more recent Tunes the nam
canal. The first two were entirely peace enNr-
prises. Although the Panama canal was construct
ed in part as a military undertaking in order 10
facilitate passage of battleships from coast TO coast
vet a greater purpose was the shortening OF Tue
route for merchant vessels.
Our war department took the lead in construc'
ton and operation of telegraph lines as 1t has
taken the lead in construction and operation OF
systems of radio communication. Although these
activities were essential to the military service they
have been rendered of value to the commercial and
social needs of the country. The war department
has had charge of improvement of rivers and har-
bors ostensibly as a military undertaking. but in
reality for promotion of transportation. In many
other particulars the war department has served
the country in time of peace. 1T has a standing sys-
tenn Of regulations under which in case OF any great
calamity such as earthquake, flood or disastrous
fire, all of the personnel and material IN the al
fected district shall be Immediately devoted to re
lief of suffering. On numerous occasions the value
of this service has been illustrated and relief has
been afforded when it could not have been other
wise secured.
Through its health service the war department
cleared Havana of yellow fever which had ravaged
it for $50 years, and redeemed the people of Porto
Rico from the hoOkworm plague. The Panama canal
zone was transformed from a zone of disease to Il
health resort. Following the Great War, in which
our chemical warfare service had its chief devel-
opment, the war department turned its attention to
protection of miners and has produced the only
substance suitable for their protection against the
deadly carbon monoxide.
The weather bureau was created and developed
by the signal corps which still cooperates with the
bureau. The air service is cooperating with the
agriculture department in determination of the boil
weevil, the experiments in spraying fruit trees
from the air, and in warfare against other agri-
cultural pests. The air service aids in protection
Of forests from fire and has recently rendered val.
liable service in sowing tree seeds over large areas
now barren, which work could not be undertaken
and huge expense. The war department has in time
of peace turned over to the bureau of public roads
large quantities OF tools, vehicles and supplies
for road construction and improvement; has aided
in establishment of high standards in breeding both
riding and draft horses and has led the way in the
development of the most practical types of tractors
for heavy duty over open ground as well as on
roads.
In other countries military forces render serv.
ice to their peoples in time of peace in some of the
particulars mentioned above, but in no country is
the army rendered Of use in SO many ways as in
the United States.