Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-07-03
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spending to the muster call and the further fact
that there is no provision in the law for the De
tense day program at any time If such military
stock-taking of resources provided under the
national defense act is to be undertaken annually
President Coolidge thinks congress should be con-
suited and should approve IT by providing ap
proprate legislation
Another thing that bothers the President is that
the proposed program necessitates the expenditure
of considerable money by the government and I'M
poses upon the states great direct expense, not
to mention the indirect cost involved through the
interruption of business that would be entaied In
carrying out the proposal
The President does not want to appear as In
any waS discouragng adequate preparedness lie
Is an earnest advocate of that, but he Is just as
earnest in his advocacy of government economy
The President would have the governors OF
states consulted as to their wishes in the matter
The states must cooperate, of course, and are re-
lied upon by the War department to do their snare
in making Defense day success
Tho result was that the President expressed
preference for July 4 the day on which the
proposed national defense test could be most ap
propriately held. Then the question arose In the
war department whether plans could be recon
structed In time to utilize July this year. Many
officers connected with the test last September
felt that 1t would be better to abandon the plans
,his year rather than attempt to arrange the test
in the short time available. They believed that
rather than risk failure, it would be preferable
70 postpone the holding of defense test until
July A. 1925.
If was pointed out also that the regular army
National Guard, reserylsts and the citizens mill
tarv training camps would be engaged in July in
thair regular training programs, and these would
he seriously interfered with If defense test was
held at that time. To assure an organized and
successful demonstration, 1t Is said to be vital
that the personnel of these four branches be In
their respective home communities at the time the
plans are made, so that they can cooperate with
the national leaders in charge.
So at this writing 1t seems impossible to say
inst what figure the Defense day test will cut In
fhe Independence day celebration. 1t quite
large performance last year. according to War
denartment reports These show that there were
e535 local demonstrations, and that more than
100000 people participated In one way or
another The regular army turned out 92,5Sl
officers and men, the National Guard 167,633 and
the organized reserves 59,16S.
Fourth of July orators this year In search of
theme have a wide choice. They might do worse
than to speak of some of the changes that $50
wears have made. The Star-Spangled Banner of
1925 as compared with the Bunker Hill flag Is
gorgeous theme, suggestive of the political prog
ress Of the nation. In 1775 we had nothing but
little privateers under sail to fight battles on
500 Today we have proud navy, of which the
california is a fine sample. The increase In popu-
lation and material wealth is suggested by the
picture showing the little book of the second
census as compared with the big volumes of the
fourteenth When Gen. George Washington took
command Of the Continental armies July at
Cambridge fife and drum corps furnished the
martial music. BY way of contrast see the army
bend of today-with the New York of 1925 loom
ing high In the background All these suggest
the growth Of the United States of America from
the thirteen colonies Of 1775 to the wealthest and
ftsl 1oAf - &tn
dedicated to liberty, equal rights and the pursuit
OF happiness.