The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-02

without weakening our national
defense, but rather perfecting it..
This nation is at peace with the
world. We no longer have inter-
national competition in naval con-
struction Of major units.
| * We are concerned primarily with
maintaining adequate preparedness.
We should have adequate prepared
ness in 1926 within the limits Of
| the amount recommended.
Aside from the important factor
OF training personnel our national
defense is largely an Industrial
problem. Today the outstanding
weakness in the. Industrial situation
/ as 1t affects national defense Is the
inadequacy OF facilities to supply
air service needs.
The airplane industry in this
country at the present time is de.
pendent almost entirely upon Gov
eminent business.
To strengthen this industry is to
strengthen our national defense.
For the air service Of the Army
and Navy, and the Air Mail Serv-
ice, the estimates, including con-
tract authorizations, amount to $685..
945, 900.
This contemplates an expenditure
with the industries of $1S,2S7 900
| for the procurement of airplanes,
engines and accessories. The re-
naming $40 $4,000 is for main
tenance, operation, experimental.
ton and research.
Other Funds Available.
The maount Of $SS, s45. 900, how
ever does not include all that will
be available for this service in
1926. Amounts contributing to the
air service carried in other esti-
mates, and disable war supplies,
will make total availability con-
| servatively estimated at $65, 900, 900.
The amount requested for ma
| tional defense includes $50, $4,000
for the Army and Navy Reserves,
National Guard, Citizens Military
Training Camps, and other ci-
william training activities.
There is also included in the
national defense estimates $7,444,-
900 for increase Of the navy. This
will provide for continuing work
on the fleet submarines under
construction and for beginning
/ work on top Of the four remain
ing fleet submarines authorized in
the 1916 program.
@ Needs Of the Navy.
| With regard to navy estimates,
legislation Is now pending which
provides for additional vessels, In
GLIDING gunboats for use on the
Yangtzo river. Further estimates
for increase in the navy are de-
| pendent. upon the enactment of
this legislation.
1t will also be necessary to re-
| quest Of Congress legislation In
creasing the authorized cost of
the two airplane carriers now
under construction.
| II this be granted It will re-
quire funds for the next fiscal
year not provided in the esti.
/ mates contained In this budget.
! For rivers and harbors $780,
237, 800 is recommended.
/ In this is included $40, ZOO, 900
\ for maintenance and improvement
| OF existing river and harbor
| work, $10,500,000 for flood con-
| troll on the Mississippi and Sacra-
| mento Rivers, and 5,437 800 for
the operation and maintenance Of
canals and the removal of wrecks
and other distractions. OF the
| $4O,O00,000, for maintenance and
improvement of rivers and har-
bors, $21 ,973, 915 is for new work
andl$17,241,575 is for maintenance.
Material Progress Seen.
This will make possible material
progress on the most important
projects approved by Congress.
1t is estimated that $6,541,590
will be needed to complete Dam
No. 2 at Muscle Shoals. OF this
amount, $s,50l, 200 viii be re-
quired this year.
This viii be covered by sup
Elemental estimate for 1926. The
balance $3s040, 3s0--is provided for
In these. estimates.
There is included In these esti.,
mates $50, 100000 20 be set aside
in the adjusted service certificate
fund established under the world