Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-02
TRAINING
OF U. 5. BEST,
DAVIS CLAIMS
Secretary of Army Re-
ports Advancement
In Aviation in An
nual Statement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-tPD-An
aviation training system second to
none in the world is claimed for the
army By Secretary Davis in his an
nusl report to President Coolidge.
While the strength Of the air corps
II below that authorized for the
first increment of the f%ive-year eX-
pansion program. the secretary Of
war said aircraft construction bad
been going through a period of
Standardization and that improve
ment i'm existing lines might be an
ticipated in the future rather than
changes in equipment. The numeri-
cal decrease IN equipment. he said,
had been offset by increase ~ quail
ity.
Final termination Of the strength
Of the combatant branches of the
army. a solution of the promotion
question, and completion OF the
housing program will give the Unit
ell States. in the opinion of the sec
rotary. "a permanent military es-
adjustment ~unequalled in morale
and in professional effectiveness Of
a high ratio to its small numbers
1900 In Army
The aim Of a sterilization of pol
icy during the last four years. Mr..
Davis told the president, has result
ed i'm uninterrupted internal prog
,csz with gratifying results. All
clements Of the army have progress
ed markedly. Progress has not been
confined 10 the distinctly military
activities Of the war department y
has been quite general in all the va
ried non-miiitary projects
VITA an aggregate of 1887 COM
missioned, warrant officer and n
listed strength, exclusive of n
Philippine Scouts. at the close OF the
wear. MIR. Davis said the strength Of
the overseas garrisons could not be
depleted ~ provide increment Tor
augmentation az the air corps. "
further reductions are necessary, and
ono probably will be during this
wear, they must continue TO be made
in the personnel branches within the
United States.
at is with grave concern Mr..
Davis said. that the war department
contemplates further reductions ~
branches which within the United
States total but 66,l05 soldiers for
Al area of 5000, 900 square miles and
4 nopulation Of over l20, 900, 600.
Needs Constant Improvement
sThere has been a distinct eieva-
tion of the standards OF units aud in
dividuals." he said. MANY hun
dreds Of officers Of the permanent
establishment have completed Y
ses IN the splendid system Of service
schools. More msneuvcrs 81 varied
type and extent have been neid.
Many have been conducted IN con-
junction with the navy; practically
all have combined the use OF air and
ground troops
Outstanding points in Mr. DAVIS
report were;
'.Thc essential material need OF the
army from the viewpoint Of possible
participation IN war. Is the develop
mcnt and improvement Of weapons
and maetrial-a continuous effort TO
assure. should emergency so demand,
the availability for production OF
materials Of the types of last-min-
ute development and the existence
of iigs. q and dies essential
for the speedy manufacture Of such
tyres" The war department has
been uurclaxing in its efforts toward
this end.
"ln each branch OF the army board
Of officers have under continuous
Investigation every potential means
for the increased effectiveness of
units and Of material. improvements
in types have been well-night in
Vulnerable; the army keeps we'll n
the van On an modern development"
Housing Improved
Action toward adequate housing
Of the personnel OF the regular army
has resulted in n gradual but very
satisfactory progress.
increasing the subsistence allow
anre Of enlisted men has been recog-
nized throughout the army as one Of
tho outstanding moves Of the last de-
cade for the maintenance of = high
state " morale.
"Thc national guard has attained
the highest plane Of military effect
iveness in the pesce-time history OF
this element of our national defense
forcs. The national guard now is
more highly organized, more COM
plctely equipped. and more thor
oughly trained than at any period IN
the past: is standards have never
been higher.
"Thc 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 tn national defense act give full
legal recognition to this project for
the physical betterment and military
instruction OF Americas youth.
INFORMATION Studied
"The subject Of motorization has
been studied from all angles with a
view TO greater mobility of troops.
The organization Of an experimental
mechanical force was instituted dur-
ing the year. q has undergone 2
period OF intensive experimentation
from which may be deducted the ca
pahilities and limitations Of mechan-
~izasion OF military forces
~ p~rotracted delay in the settle
ment Of the promotion question will
result in many designations By Off
GERS who have recently entered the
service and upon whose professional
education the government has ex-
pended q great sum 81 money. For 2
lifetime Of service 70 the govern
ment IL IL but just that officers who
have foregone the manifest finan-
cial and other advantages Of a civil
career he assured a reasonable re-
ward. Certainty Of promotion after
definite terms Of service appears to
he the most inst reWard"
AIn YrNEDc yIfrru Ell W