The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-01
COMPLETION OF
PROGRAM WILL
IMPROVE ARMY
Only 66,1O5 Soldiers Stationed
in Confines of u. S. Is
Grave Concern
NATIONAL GUARD STRONG
Success of Citizens Military
Training Camps Exceeds
Expectations
NATIONAL GUARD STRONG

Washington, Dec. 1.-(P)-An avi-
alton training system second to none
in the world is claimed for the Army
by Secretary Davis in his annual
report to President Coolidge.
While the strength of the air corps
is below that authorized for the first
increment Of the five-year expansion
program, the Secretary of War said
aircraft construction had been going
through a period Of standardization
and that improvement in existing
lines might be anticipated in the flu
ture rather than changes in equip
mcnt. The numerical decrease in
equipment, he said, had been offset
by increase in quality.
Final determination Of the
strength Of the combatant branches
Of the Army, solution of the pro-
motion question, and completion of
the housing program will give the
United States, in the opinion Of the
Secretary. "a permanent military
establishment unequalcd in morale
and in professional effectiveness Of
a high ratio to it's small numbers"
The aim Of a sterilization Of pol
icy during the last four years, Mr..
Davis told the President, has result
cd in uninterrupted internal progress
with gratifying results. All elements
Of the Army have progressed mark
cdly. Progress has not been con-
fined to the distinctly military ac-
tivitics of the War Department but
has been quite general in all the
varied non-military projects.
1881 Army Strength
With an aggregate Of 1897 COM
missioned, warrant officer and en-
listed strength, exclusive of the
Philippine Scouts, at the close of
the year, Mr.. Davis said the strength
OF the overseas garrisOns could not
be depleted to provide increment for
augmentation Of the Air Corps. II
further reductions are necessary,
and one probably will be during this
year, they must continue to be made
in the personnel branches within the
United States.
1T is with grave concern" Mr..
Davis said, that the War Depart
ment contemplatcs further rcduc-
tions in branches which within the
United States total but 66, los SOL
diers for an area Of 5000, 900 square
miles and a population Of over
120,00O,000.'
Army Needs Weapons
Outstanding points in Mr.. Davis
report we're:
The essential material need of
the Army, from the viewpoint of
possible participation in war, is the
development and improvement of
weapons and material.
Action toward adequate hous-
ing of the personnel of the regular
army has resulted in gradual but
very satisfactory progress"
Increasing the subsistence allow
ance of enlisted men has been rccog-
nizcd throughout the Army as one
of the outstanding moves Of the last
decade for the maintenance of high
state of morale"
"The National Guard has attained
the highest plane of military effec-
tiveness in the peace-timc history Of
this element of our national defense
forces. The National Guard now is
more highly organized, more COM
pletely equipped, and more thor
oughly trained than at any period in
the past; it's standards have never
been higher
{. M. r. c. Success
"The popular success of the citi-
zens' military training camps has
far exceeded the fondest expecta-
tions of those broad-visioned leaders
who were SO urgent in their demands
that the national defense act give
full legal recognition to this project
for the physical betterment and
military instruction Of America s
youth"
"A protracted delay in the settle
n,ent of the promotion question will
result in many designations of Of
ficers who have recently entered the
service and upon whose professional
education the government has cx.
pended a great sum of money. For
. lifetime of service to the govern
ment, it is but just that officers who
have foregone the manifest financial
and other advantages Of q civil ca.
reer be assured q reasonable reward
Certainty of promotion after def
mite terms of service appears to be
the most just reward"