Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-09


annual increment OF good people
within our borders than we can
weave into our economic fabric in
| such a way as to supply tl.er needs
| without undue injury to ourselves.
National Defense
Never before in time of peace has
| our country maintained so large and
effective a military force as 1t now
has. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
| National Guard, and Organized Re-
| serves represent Il strength Of about
5oS, 400 men. These forces are we'll
trained, well equipped, and high in
morale.
| A sound selective service act Civ
| ing broad authority for the mobiliza-
ton in time of peril of all the re-
sources of the country. both persons
| and materials. is needed to perfect
our defensive policy Il accordance
| with our ideals of equality. The
provision for more suitable housing
to be paid for out of funds derived
| from the sale of excess lands, pend
ing before the last Congrc IS. ought
to be brought forward and passed.
Reasonable requirements ought to be
made to maintain a sufficient am
munitton reserve.
The Navy has the full treaty ton
age OF capital ships. Work is going
forward in undermining the older
ones. building aircraft carriers. adj
| ditional fic-t submarines, and fast
| scout cruisers, but we are carefully
avoiding anything that might be
construed as a competition in arm
aments with other nations. The Joint
Army and Navy maneuvers at Ha-
| wan, followed by the cruise of a full
| Battle Fleet to Australia and New
Zealand, were successfully carried
out. These demonstrations revealed
a most satisfactory condition of the
ships and the men engaged.
Last year at my suggestion the
General Board of the Navy made
an investigation and report on the
relation of aircraft to warships. Asl
result authorizations and appro-
priations were made for more scout
cruisers and fleet submarines and
for completing aircraft carriers and
equlpplng them with necessary
planes. Additional training in ayi-
alton was begun at the Military and
Naval Academies. A method of CO.
ordination and cooperation of the
Army and Navy and the principal
aircraft builders is being perfected.
At the suggestion of the Secretaries
OF war and Navy l appointed a spe-
cial board to make further study
OF the problem of aircraft.
| The report of the Air Board ought
TO be reassuring to the country.
gratifying TO the service and salts
factory to the Congress. 1t is thor
oughly complete and represents the
mature thought of the best talent in
the country. No radical change in
organization OF the service seems
necessary The Departments of War;
Navy, and Commerce should each
be provided with an additional as
sistant secretary, not necessarily
with statutory duties but who would
| be available under the direction of
the Secretary to give especial atten-
ton to air navigation. We must
have an air strength worthy of
America. Provision should be made
for two additional brigadier gem
erals for the Army Air Service.
Temporary rank corresponding to
their duties should be awarded to
active flying officers in both Army
yand Navy.
! Aviation IS OF great Importance
poth for national defense and COM
mercial development. We ought to
proceed in its Improvement by the
necessary experiment and investiga-
ton. Our country is not behind in
this art. 1t has made records for
speed and for the excellence of it's
planes. 1t ought to go on maintain
ing It's manufacturing plants capable
or rapid production, giving national
assistance to the laying out of air.
ways, equipping itself with mod
crate number of planes. and keep
ing an air force trained to the high
est efficiency.
/ While | am a thorough believer
in national defense and entirely
committed to the policy of adequate
preparation, j am just as Thoroughly
opposed to instigating or partici-
pating in policy of competitive
ornaments. Nor does preparation
mean policy of militarizing. Our
people and industries are solicitous
Tor the cause of our country, and
have great respect for the Army and
Navy and for the uniform worn by
the men who stand ready at all
times for our protection to encoun-
ter the dangers and periIs necessary
to military service, but all of these
activities are to be taken not in be-
half of aggression but in behalf of
peace. They are the instruments by
which we undertake to do our part
to promote good will and support
stability among all poples.
Veterans
If any one desires to estimate the
esteem in which the veterans of
America are held by their fellow
citizens, 1t is but necessary to re-
member that the current budget
calls for an expenditure of about
$500 100000 in their behalf. This is
nearly the amount of the total cost
of the National Government, exclu-
sive of the post office, before we en-
tered the last war.
At the two previous sessions of
Congress legislation affecting vet
Grams relief was enacted and the
law liberalized. This legislation
brought into being a number of new
provisions tending more nearly to
meet the needs of our veterans, as
well as afford the necessary author
ity to perfect the administration of
these laws.
Experience with the new legisla-
ton so far has clearly demonstrated
Its constructive nature. 1t has in
creased the benefits received by
many and has made eligible for BEN
Gifts many others. Direct disburse-
ments to the veteran or his depend
ents exceeding ST. 100000 have re-
suited, which otherwise would not
have been made The degree of
utilization of our hospitals has in
creased through making facilities
| IN hN f,n 40