New Britain herald., 1928-12-01
AVIATION SYSTEM
Second TO none
Sec. Davis Files Report on
American Training Of Filters

In the world is claimed for the army
port to President Coolidge.
While the strength of the air corps
is below that authorized for the first
increment Of the flve-year expansion
aircraft construction had been going
through a period of Standardization
and that improvement in existing
lines might be anticipated in the fu-
ture rather than changes in equip
ment. 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 es-
ia blishment unequalled in morale
and in professional effectiveness of
high ration to its small numbers"
The aim of a sterilization of pol
Icy during the last four years, Mr..
Davis told the president, has result
ed in uninterrupted internal prog
ress with gratifying results. All elc-
ments of the army have progressed
markedly. Progress has not been
confined to the distinct military ac-
tivities Of the War Department but
has been quite general in all the
varied military projects.
1:7,ss7 Officers and Men
With an aggregate of 1851
commissioned. warrant officer and
enlisted 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 contemplates further reduce
tons in branches which within the
United States total but 66.l05 SOL
diers for an area OF 100000 square
miles and a population of over 120,-
O.000."
There has been distinct eleva-
ton Of the standards OF units and
individuals" he said. MANY hun
dreds OF officers of the permanent
establishment have completed
courses in the splendid system Of
service schools. More maneuvers Of
varied type and extent have been
held. Many have been conducted in
conjunction with the navy: prac-
tically all have combined the use Of
air and ground troups."
Outstanding points in Mr.. Davis
report were:
THE essential material need of
the army, from the viewpoint of pos
sible participation in war. is the de-
velopment and improvement of
| weapons and material - continuous
effort to assure, should emergency
SO demand, the availa bility for pro-
duction of material Of types Of last
minute development and the exis-
tence of jigs, gauges, and dies essen
tial for the speedy manufacture of
such types. The War Department
has been unrelaxing in its efforts
toward this end.
I'm each branch of the army
boards Of officers have under con-
tinuous investigation every potential
means for the increased effectiveness
of units and of material. Improve
ments in types have been well-nigh
innumerable; the army keeps we'll
in the van on all modern develop
ment.
Action toward adequate housing
OF the personnel OF the Regular
Army has resulted In a gradual but
very satisfactory progress.
Increasing the subsistence allow
ance Of enlisted men has been rec
ognized throughout the army as one
OF the outstanding moves Of the last
decade for the maintenance of a
high state OF morale.
National Guard
THE National Guard has attain
ed the highest plane of military ef-
fectiveness in the peace-time history
OF this element of our national de-
Tense forces. The National Guard
now Is more highly organized. more
completely equipped. and more thor
oughly trained than at any period in
the post: its standards have never
been higher.
THE popular success Of the citi-
zens' military training camps has
far exceeded the fondest expecta-
tons OF those broad visioned lead
ers who were SO urgent In their de-
mands that the national defense act
give full legal recognition to this
project for the physical betterment
and military instruction of Ameri-
cas- youth.
1.-THE subject Of motorization has
been studied from all angles with a
view to greater mobility of troops.
The organization Of an experiment
tai mechanical force was instituted