Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-30
PLAN TO CUT
BUDGET HIT
Army Journal Says U. S.
Has Smallest Stand
ing Army Now

QucClOn plan Dy the Army ana navy
Journal in its isue of July 81.
The periodical predicts a distinct
possibility Of the post abandonment
as the first action in economizing
on army and navy appropriations.
After comparing the size Of the
United States army with that of
other world powers, and the cost
of maintaining it, the article goes
On to say:
Another entertainment move
which may be brought up is the
abandonment of posts. In view of
the Kellogg treaty it may be sug-
gested that posts along the border
be abandoned-posts such is Fort
Brown, Fort Ringgold, Fort McIn-
tosh, Fort Clark, Camp Marina,
Fort Bliss, Camp Harry H. Jones,
Fort Haul uca, and Camp Stephen
B. Little.
"Other movements which the
president may consider are the
consolidation of branches and the
elimination of obsolete departments
and methods.
"Our standing army Of $4,000
men is smaller than that of any
other nation with the exception Of
Germany, which Is limited under
the treaty. Japan, next smallest,
has 100000, and France leads with
an armed force of 100000.
ut also takes a smaller per cent
of our national wealth and a small
Ter per capita expenditure to main
tain the United States army than
in any other nation"
The publication goes on to say
that a reduction of the service
mans salary is not likely. He is
paid better than the soldier or
seaman in other countries, but only
in comparison with higher living
standards in the United States, it
is pointed out.
There had been some discussion
a few years ago on the elimination
Of cavalry.
Major Factors
An article by L. A. Brophy, Asso-
ciated Press feature editor, explains
the four major factors which stand
out in President Foover's plan as
follows:
Development. Of an air defense
under the five-year progressively
expansion program of 1926.
Increased expenditures for army
housing.
The cruiser building program Of
the navy.
The exhaustion of wal time sup
plies.
Two Of these same factors, avia-
ton development and exhaustion of
war supplies, apply equally to in
creaSing naval costs. With the navy,
however, one Of the main prospec-
tive upward jumps Of expenditures
has to do with the construction Of
new cruisers.
What will happen in that regard,
as President Hoover hes pointed out,
depends on the success Of negotia-
tions for further naval reduction
treaties.
The Presidents announcement
that he would appoint a board of
army officers within the general
staff to find out what can be done
toward reducing military eXperdi-
lures, has like a stone cast into a
quiet pool, caused many ripples of
speculation as to where and when
reductions might be made.
Mechanizing Studied
At a time when the business Of
mechanizing the war machine is Of
increasing interest and import to
all nations, the projected study Of
costs has caused wide discussion.
The President has pointed out
that the national defense outlay for
1888 will be $303, 900 1000, some $780,
O00, 900 more than similar eXpendI-
lures for the fiscal year just ended.
He compared that 18th pre-war x
penditures for military activities of
the army and navy of $266, 900 900
annuity.
Aircraft cost plenty of money.
The big army bombers range around
$50, 900 to $1,000 each. The navy
spent $134, 900 alone for a single
giant experimental patrol boat-the
XPY-1.
The two 100000 cubic foot navy
dirigibleS now building will cost
So, 600, 900; an experimental metal
clad dirigible under construction for
the navy will represent an expendi-
ture Of $4,000
Under the five-year program, $685.
$780, $50 was set aside for navy air
expansion. There are to be 1000
planes in commission at that time.
The army, under the same program
at the end of five years will have
1900 planes ready to range the skies.
Obsolete Arms?
The army accounts for the 1880
increase as being due to automatic
advance of officers % higher pay
rates, an increase in officer strength
of 200 to provide for additional Of
ficers for the air corps; an increase
in the retired lists for officers and
enlisted mn, and increased
amounts expended for construction
of barracks and quarters.
Where, runs the popular question,
are the obsolete military arms that
the President hopes may be done
away with? The cavalry?
But, technicians point out, if the
man on the horse is done away with
by mechanization his place will
have to be taken. He will have to
be superseded for tactical purposes
" soldiers in arnored cars.
Another conjecture is thai it
might be econon al to concentrate
the American standing army at one
or two posts in til continental
United States. The are many posts
now with a few ZEN and officers.