Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-30
Radicals on Mi|itarism and
/ .Pacifism Threaten Peace
and Prosperity of Nation,
Chief Executive Says.
WANTS MILlTARISTIC
! MOVES BY u. S. AVOIDED
Government Business Group Urged
to Extend Program of Construc-
tive Economy II Lord Assails
Practice of Letter Writing by
Department Officials.

Declaring he is for adequate
military preparedness" President
Coolidge last night branded both
"extreme pacifsm" on the one hand
and 'militaristic attitude" on the
other as dangerous to our contin-
' ped peace and prosperity"
Without mentioning specifically
any incident of domestic politics, or
: naming any OF the numerous COM
plicated international problems now
facing the administration abroad, the
President warned that I'VE should,
from a financial standpoint alone,
refrain from any gesture which could
possibly be construed as militaristic."
These declarations of policy We're
made at the twelfth regular meeting
4 of the business organization of the
Government at Memorial Continental
Hall, where both the President and Di-
rector III. NJ. Lord of the Bureau of the
4 Budget admonished the Government
spending agencies to further applica
4 ton of the principles of constructive
5 economy and efficiency. Such policies,
the Chief Executive claimed, have
placed America at the pinnacle of
/ success and prosperity. 1t is our busi
s ness to do our part to keep it there"
he declared.
- Cites Debt Reduction.
The Presidents unusual prepared
ness" departure from the customary
strictly financial tone of his semi
Il DC.
Of his administration came In connec-
fion with discussion Of the public debt
Production, but the Chief Executive
made no direct reference to the move
ment in Congress to increase the Pres
ident's budget recommendation by the
cost of three additional cruisers for the
Navy and by substantial additions to
the Army appropriation.
What we need, and all that we
need, for national protection" said the
President" is adequate preparedness.
IN that is reflected our traditional at
4 iitude toward all nations. 1t contains
4 no gesture of offense and no gesture OF
4 Eeakness." From financial stand
\ point alone, the Chief Executive said,
America should refrain from any
! gesture which could possibly be con-
4 stfued as militaristic.'
The question of adequate military
. Preparedness, the President said, was
one to which he had always given the
"most serious thought" in his recon-
mendations to Congress in the budget
| message.
Sees Big Responsibility.
"As Commander-in-c n-chief of the Army
and of the Navy, the Chief Executive
OF this Nation" he said, has an en-
phatic responsibility for this phase of
our welfare. AS a nation we are ad-
yocates Of peace. Not only should we
refrain from any act which might be
construed as calling for competition in
arfaament, but rather should we bend
our every effort To eliminate forever
+ any such competition. We cannot and
should not divorce our own interests
in this direction from the interests of
other nations Surely the best interests
of all are found in directing to the
channels Of public welfare moneys
which would otherwise be spent with
i out reproductive results"
Pointing to a direct connection be-
4 tween the public debt and prepared
ness. the President said Ito the ex-
tent that we are able TO reduce our
A public debt and to eliminate the vast
! chsrges of interest thereon. to that
txtent we are adding to our military
preparedness; and to this same ex-
4 tent we are tightening the burden
Of the people of this country"
Amplifies Geneva Stand.
The Executives pronouncement on
Oypuaredness last night was con-
sidered of significance as amplifying
the stand taken recently by the Presi
1 dent when he wished this Government
i H. refrain from any further construc-
Il ton of additional cruisers, or addi-
. ton to armed strength until oppor-
runity was given at Geneva to see
4 what may develop out of the proposed
4 Conference for the limitation OF arma-
4 isents Congress now has before it
!. srlaII appropriation bill continuing
the expenses OF the American dele
cation to the preliminary conference
10 the arms parley at Geneva.
No new figure as to the prospective
i sllrplus at the end of this fiscal year
i MAS offered by either the President or
General Lord, the latter mentioning
thu same 1888 ,000, 900 which had been
e4imated in the 1928 budget recently
Transmitted to Congress. The Presi-
GENT reiterated his position that it
Was still too early to forecast
Whether or not there can be a further
4 permanent reduction in taxes in the
near future explaining that the
administration was waiting a test
OF the producing ability of the revenue
act Of 1926.
Sharply scoring Government officials
for too much letter writing Gen.
/ Lord announced the formation of a
correspondence club TO cut down the
mass and mess of correspondence
with which the Government is in
hicted."
Two Billion Ahead.
The President pointed to reduc.
ton in the public debt of more than
81 4.344, 900, 900 in the five years ended
June 80 last, saying that the schedule
hxed by law for such reduction from
sAdinary receipts was exceeded by
81 ,O96, ,000, 900. I'm other words" he
said, ION June 80 last we were over
two billion dollars ahead Of the
schedule This excess debt reduction
represents an extraordinary annual
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