Evening star., 1926-02-14
ARMY RADIO WORK
SUFFERS FUND CUT
Rigid Economy Will Be Nee
essary to Carry on Within
Appropriation.
BY CARL III. BUTNIAN.

Reductions in funds for the Signal
Corps, recommended by the House
Appropriations committee, will neces-
state rigid economy in radio installa-
tions and operation during the next
nScal year, according to Chairman
Anthony of the House committee
Out of a total of S1,90S,522 for the
use of the Signal Corps, S236.052 is
allotted 20 the communication service
and S4l4,000 for radio equipment. AL
though 1t might appear that this
cost figure was only 100000 under
last years total, it is seen that as
S1S0,0O0 more is especially deSig-
mated for air service radio equipment
than last year, the balance for radio
equipment in the rest of the Army is
reduced to about 100000.
Gen. SaltZman, chief signal officer
OF the Army. pointed out at the hear
fngS, that out of the S414,000 allotted
TO pay for equipment for all units of
the Army, it is provided that $3.50, ,000
shall be used to equip new Army air
planes with radio, in 1927, leaving
only 1884, 900 for the rest of the
Army's radio equipment. including
artillery, infantry, cavalry and other
units.
Does Not Begrudge Funds.
Apparently the Signal Corps does
not begrudge this generous slice of
its funds allocated to the flying serv-
ice of the Army. AS Gen. Saltzman
put it: Radio is very essential to
the Air Service, because that is their
only means of communication. The
control of ships, the whole system
of command, as soon as they get in
the air, Is dependent upon communi-
cation. and they must have fine radio
equipment to operate efficiently" he
explained.
f. All serial radio equipment. accord
ing to this officer, is applicable to
both radiophone and radio telegraph
use and can he operated both ways
Two general types of radio sets are
provided, depending upon the use.
Bombing equipment is heavy but long
ranged being capable of carrying.
about $50 miles, while that installed
on air scouts and observation planes
is lighter and has a range OF approxi-
mately 80 miles.
Definite Amount Set.
This is the first year a definite
amount for Air Service planes has
been set. due to the new air pro-
gram requiring rpecified radio equip
ment. Previously aerial equipment
was alloCated from the general Army
radio funds. the amount approximate
lHS 9Iuu,pVU. Inc remaining 1u1lUS
left for other equipment will, in the
opinion of Gen. SaltZman, however,
reduce the quantities of supplies that
can be purchased. He indicated that
the duplication of last years appro-
priation of S335.000 would have been
sufficient. The general Indicated
however, that these reductions of
funds would probably not interfere
with radio experiments as they We're
provided for in other funds.
Members of Congress appear gem
orally interested in the plan to open
up the Signal Corps radio service to
members of both houses for the
transaction of official communications
without cost to them, except for fees
10 commercial lines which relay and
deliver the Army radiograms. This
radio service, it was revealed has
handled considerable governmental
business for various departments at
a reduction of about so per cent from
commercial rates.