Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-23
Probe Will Be Constructive,
With No Attempt to Reduce
Plans for Adequate Force.
ARMS ECONOMY HELD
VITAL TO TAX SLASH
Present Expenditures Form Largest
Military Budget of Any Nation,
President Says.

With view to reducing the cost OF
the military establishments of the Gov
eminent and without impairing the
national defense, President Hoover is
going to have a survey made of the
Army program by leading Army officers.
to see If there cannot be curtailments
and improvements in governmental
military activities.
In making this known today, Presi-
dent Hoover emphasized that such an
investigation will be constructive and
not destructive and that no attempt will
be made to reduce the Governments IS
plan for adequate military prepared
ness.
This unexpected step on the part of
the administration has been brought
about by the rapidly growing increase
In the annual cost Of the military ac-
tivities. The President is satisfied that
If there Is to be any tax reduction in
the near future, there must be economy
resorted to in the matter of military
and naval expenditure.
War Danger Held Slight.
In making this announcement, the
President stated that the American
people should understand that current
expenditures on military activities of
the Army and Navy constitute the
largest military budget Of any nation
in the world and at time when there
is less real danger Of extensive dis
turbance to peace than at any time
in more than half century
The President, while discussing the
subject at his semi-weekly conference
with newspaper correspondents today,
expressed himself in the following
manner:
Last week, there was published a
statement showing the estimated in
crease in Federal expenditure over the
next four years, as imposed by legisla-
ton already passed by Congress.
These estimates indicate by 1888 an
$3.50, ,000. 900 to $500 100000 above the
expenditures of the fiscal year just
ended and from 100000, 900 to $780,
900 900 above the expenditures of four
years ago.
Increase Is Cited.
"Of this. the purely military ano
naval expenditures, excluding non-r1ili-
tary activities of these departments
represent about one-half. The COM
bined expenditure is estimated at
S803 100000 in 1888. an increase of
$l2O 100000 over the last fiscal year
and 1924, 100000 over four years ago
All of which compares with a total OF
$266,00o,o00 average pre-war total fol-
the combined military services of the
Army and Navy, or an estimated in
crease by 1888 of $3.50. 900 900 over pre-
war. These amounts do not include any
amount which we justly spent on vet
erans who suffered in past wars, which
in itself amounts to about 1920, 900 00C
a year. Moreover. many bills are pend.
ing before Congress that will still
further increase this sum.
THE American people should under
stand that current expenditures or
and Navy constitute the largest military
budget of any nation in the world to-
day and at a time when there is les;
real danger of extensive disturbance tc
peace than at any time in more thar
half century.
Calls Cut Vital to Tax Slash.
"The hope of tax reduction lies in a
large degree in our ability to economize
on the military and naval expenditure
and still maintain adequate defense
Our whole situation certainly is modi-
fed by the Kellogg pact.
expenditures by international agreement
on naval arms. In the matter of Army
outlay I am in agreement with the
Secretary of War to set up within the
general staff a commission of leading
Army officers to reconsider our whole
Army program, to see what services
and other outlays have become obsolete
through advancement of scientific wal
methods; and what development pro-
gram can be we'll spread over longer
period in view of the general world out.
look and at the same time maintain
completely adequate preparedness. Such
a program should be constructive ano
not destructive"
The Presidents discussion of this ad-
ministration policy followed his semi
weekly meeting with his cabinet, where
1t is understood the matter was brought
before the session by Secretary Of Wal
Good.