Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-06
Sec. Davis Sounds
Defence Warning
In Yearly KepOrC

Washington. Dec. 4-(P)--A warn
ing against ''blindly deluding our
selves" on the subject of national
defense was sounded today by Sec
rotary Davis of the War Depart
ment in his annual report.
There has been only partial execu-
ton of the plan of deiense mapped
out in 1920, he said, and even lhe
maintenance of the army on us
present basis requires the APP
preparation Of more funds each
year."
with the exception of a slight
restoration of the supply of am
munition at the expense Of reduc-
ton in personnel, and the inaugu-
ration of the so-called housing pro-
gram" he continued, conditions
have changed but little since the
rendition of my last annual report. ,
The Secretary discussed at great
length the peacetime uses OF the
army, ranging from the running OF
barge lines to teaching enlisted men
professions or trades into which
they go on completing their hitch"
in the army. Even the Air Corps
came in for treatment from its come
mercial rather than it's combat
aspects.
Reviewing the civil side of the
work of the army engineer CORPS
Mr.. Davis hatfootedly disapproved
proposals to transfer these duties
out of the army.
In the long run the present sys-
TEN of administering our rivers and
harbors activities is the most econ
omical," he said. 1--WE, in this case,
achieve the end so often urged OF
making our peace time army more
fully pay its way"
AS an additional consideration Mr..
Davis pointed out that the fact that
army engineers are officers Of the
army, whose normal promotion and
pay cannot be advanced or retarded
by political influences, leaves them
unaffected by such considerations IN
their actions"
In discussing waterway and har-
Dor developments, the War Secre-
tary laid down the principle that
new projects should be held in
allegiance until completion of those
on which large expenditures already
have been made. 1t would take
1925. 000,0 600 and at least five years
to round out the principal develop
ment now in progress, he SAID,
even if it were practicable TO
make such amounts available. lie
used as an example the Ohio River
development. approximately 81 per
cent complete, but capable of only
about 15 per cent of the service
which may be expected from the
completed project"
Inland waterways now carry
about 200,000,000 tons of cargo an
nually, said the Sec. etary, at an
economic saving of 'at least $780,
70 InSarihnd Hnnd
control conditions on many rivers as
chaotic"
The Muscle Shoals power plant
was said by the Secretary to be, as
! a whole, SO per cent complete. He
made no suggestions as to Its Ulti-
mate disposition.
! Turning to the Inland Waterways
! Corporation, he described it as a
temporary eXpedient," to be con-
! tinued only until private capital is
/ prepared to assume this service
| which is SO vital to national de-
| Veloment."
Mr.. Davis recalled his previous
! remarks on the necessity OF rem0V-
I ing army personnel from "dilapidat-
| ed barracks and quarters of war
| time construction"
| suffice it to say that conditions
| are, LsiNui any, NolSS 'hsAlA "eNo 14AS
case a year ago." he said.
About $T000,000 has become avail
able for building purposes from
sale of surplus property but a total
of $90,000,000 in surplus has been
! either sold or transferred to other
government departments.
! where property is transferred to
| another department of the govern
ment." he said. 'this (hOusing)
construction fund should roceise an
/ equivalent transfer credit from the
appropriation of that department"
! The War Secretary put his foot
down on the return to duty of Of
ticers who resigned to seek civilian
, employment.
THE War Department is strongly
| opposed to the reappOintment of Of
| ficers who have sought other fields
h of activity at their own volition. OF
/ who were discharged on account OF
reduction in the commissioned
strength of the army" he said. at
is even more strongly opposed to the
reappointment of officers who We're
discharged or resigned as result OF
unfavorable classification of their
military qualifications. = Such reap
| pointments are unfair to those who
/ have remained in the service"