Evening star., 1925-08-09
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

times it is more economical to spend
N money than not to spend 1t. 1t Is not
"A practicing economy to permit a huge
4 \ industrial plant to deteriorate for lack
of funds. No more is 1t economy to per
init great national defense plant to suffer for
lack of the necessary money to keep 1t up. Yet
there Is great danger that the administra-
ton's economy program may seriously hamper
both the Army and Navy. The economy pro-
gram already has resulted in so curtailing
appropriations for the Army that repairs to
buildings occupied by the troops and officers
temporary structures some under canvas the
year round, and even paint necessary to pre-
serve the buildings under use. cannot be pur
chased.
The Army and Navy of the United States are
costing the people money. But so are the
police forces in American cities and towns and
law enforcement officers in the rural sections
No one suggests doing away with the police
not even the pacifists.
On a Peace-Time Footing
The Army and Navy have been reduced to
the Army in accordance with the National de-
fense act Indeed. the Army is below the
authorized strength. Since the Washington
conference on the limitation of armaments the
appropriations for the Navy have been kept
down as low possible.
Without criticising the economy program of
President Coolidge program which
greatly needed Immediately after the war. and
which has brought much desired results in re-
duction of federal taxes and more efficient
methods OF government. 1t may be suggested
that too much economy, when it comes to
National defense, is almost as undesirable as
waste.
The budget for the fiscal year 1927 is in the
making. What's it going to bring forth for the
Army and for the Navy? President Coolidge
not very many weeks ago said that he had ask
ed for survey in both the War and Navy De-
partments to ascertain just what saving, II
any, could be made, and what appropriations
for the services could be pared down. Immedi-
ately 1t was declared in some q2arters that
the President intended still further to cut down
the Army and the Mayor at least to grant
them less money The President however, at
the time he announced this survey, made 1t
clear that If such a survey did not warrant
further reductions in appropriations and ex-
penditures he would not ask them. These sur
Veys have been made. and they indicate, It is
the Army or the Navy without impairment Of
efficiency.
A Question of Increases.
g. Indeed. so far as the Army is concerned, 1T
down. Rather. the question is How long can the
Army continue without increased appropria-
tions for niaintenance and repair of material?
John w. Weeks, Secretary of War, has fought
in season and out during the five years and
more that re has held that Office against ham,
stringing the Army. He has made an excellent
Secretary of War for other reasons than that
however. The business administration of the
War Department has been good If not bet
ter, than ever before in its history. Economies
have been made. greater efficiency developed
and huge surplus war supplies have been dis
posed OF as adyantageously as possible.
For the last two years the material plant Of
the Army has been allowed to run down. hill
temporarily 1t is hoped. in the interest of i'm
mediate economy. 1t known at the time
that the day would come when this would ne
cessitate greater expense to recover from the
deterioration. And that day has come. In his
last annual report the Secretary of War said:
Our National needs have increased along with
the increase in our national population Our
Army Is larger than 1t was 10 years ago, and
10000 members of the Army are under un-
suitable shelter. Some of them have been under
canvas Summer and Winter for many years"
As has already been indicated, the appropria-
tons for the Army and Navy are considerable.
The total appropriation for the War Depart