The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-30
National Defense

National Defense
President Coolidge remarked the other day that
he had observed there was always great deal of
talk about the condition of the Army and Navy about
the time Congress began to consider the annual ap-
preparations. Presumably this comment came as the
result of sensational statement by the secretary of
war that there was not enough ammunition in the
country to last million hour, and that in
dustry was not organized to produce munitions except
after long delay.
The Presidents attitude will be consoIing to those
who fear the country may be Stampeded into a new
naval armament race and into program of costly
military expansion.
There is little reason to believe, however that
Congress the public will be satisfied to ignore as
mitaristic propaganda the accommodating evidence of
deterioration in the Army and the Navy Nor is there
evidence that the President wishes this If he favors
reasonable preparedness with neither extravaganza
on one hand or Gripping parsimony on the other, he
will doubtless have the support Of Congress and the
public.
Congress apparently is genuinely concerned over
national defense, and both Senators and Representa-
tives are demanding thorough inquiry to determine
exact conditions Most Of the criticism has cenered
S-4 disaster and through the submission of an $780,
100000 dveyear building program It is charged that
economy and lack of foresight have reduced the Navy
personnel beyond the point of safety that has been
impossible properly to train men, that needed repairs
to vessels have been neglected.. that there is de-
fciency in ships, and that supplies of munitions are
inadequate. 1t is also pointed out that in the past
four years the Navy has had seventeen serious acct
dents, which cost eghty-six lives and $4,000 OOO
Secretary Wilbur is blamed for not having assumed
vigorous leadership to correct these conditions in
stead Of submitting quietly to economies which
brought them about.
Similar charges are made in reference to the Army
and its state Of preparedness, although it not
be said that Secretary Davis has failed to point out
the deficiencies
The time for stock taking seems at hand If the
two establishments have been permitted steadily to
decline during the nine years since the World War
ended the country should know it, and action should
be taken to make the machinery really effective
America wants and expects no wars. It's greatest
assurance of peace is in the cultivation of friendly
relations with the other nations and in making its
peaceful intentions plain to the world program
of sane preparedness adequate to the counys needs
properly go hand in hand with the effort to
duce ornaments and abolish war.
:
Harry IhaW mas gone 70 HOLLYWOOD Is 1t posi-
bic the voting man is becoming trife wild?
They're using chemicals to ripen fruit now but
that's an old recipe for corn and rye.
Bills ready for the House of Representatives so
far number 8459. 1t seems there are few things
which haven't been prohibited.
Believe 1t not, but at bankers banquet in
Paris the other day, young American singer rem
dered 20 Promise Me-"
We wish to nominate as one OF the most success
full men of 1927 the Iowa who listed his assets
at $977 and liabilities at $S660oO.
Prince George fell out of automobile the other
day. The king of England had better never let those
boys take up aviation.