Evening star., 1930-12-01
TRIO OF THREATS
ONFRONTSARMY
Secretary Hurley Warns of
Dangers-War Reserve
/ Stocks Depleted.

By the Associated Press
The Secretary of War today reported
the Army more efficient than at any
time since the World War, and at the
same time gave three warnings lest prep
arations be impaired.
These Secretary Hurley embodied in
his annual report to President Hoover,
as follows:
That continuance of Luilding up the
Air Corps enlisted strength by transfers
fr m other branches under the man.
datory five-year program means the
Army soon will be seriously handi-
capped;
That increased Army pay is vital
subject requiring proper adjustment,
pay being related to morale and morale
to efficiency; and
That at the present depletion rate at
will be but a matter Of several years
when there will be no properly balanced
reserve stocks on hand for immediate
issue to mobilized man power"
Reserve Stock Depleted.
''The lack of such war reserve stocks" :"
Hurley emphasized, would make prompt
and complete military effectiveness inn
possible in a given situation.
Except for the slight relief afforded
by the pay act of 1929, the pay of the
Army has remained practically un-
changed since 1908, notwithstanding
that the cost of living has steadily
mounted since that time" he wrote
THE situation confronting the junior
officers is particularly to be deplored. A
great deal is expected of the Regular
Army officer. Men who meet
these requirements are entitled to ade-
quate compensation"
As for the Air Corps, the Secretary
reported normal progress on the five
year program, expected to be completed
when due, in 1882. Plane deliveries
kept abreast of schedule, and the corps
gains slowly in commissioned strength,
despite the limitation of the Army'S
total. This led to the declaration that
depletion Of other arms must stop, "or
else our program of national defense
must undergo reorganization"
Efficiency Butt in Past.
On June 80, ending the year covered
by the report, the Army personnel eX-
elusive of Philippe Scouts was just un-
der $4,000.
Attributing the military efficiency
largely to work of his predecessors,
Hurley especially praised the accom-
pliShmentS by the man he succeeded,
the late James w. Good.
The report reviewed the departments
far-hung activities, from supervising the
Government owned inland waterways
transportation systems to its functions
in the Philippine Islands and Porto
Rico.
During the fiscal year Army engi-
neers were working on $50 harbor and
waterway projects in all parts of the
country, in addition to so canals.
The Secretary mentioned the $685.
400 900 appropriated for flood control
work on the Mississippi this fiscal year.
The program incluGes levee and revet-
ment work on the main river. work on
the setback of the Birds Point-New
Madrid fioodway and on the Bonnet
Care spillway, as well as dredging for
the navigable channel He promised
liberal use of the emergency fund to aid
localities above backwater influence
which are visited by damaging waters
and unable to take care of themselves.
Studies Use of Industry.
An economic survey for program of
industrial mobilization to be ready in
any emergency is being prosecuted.
"A proper plan for industrial mobil-
ization must constantly adjust itself to
meet the varying industrial conditions
of the country and the ever-changing
demands of possible military opera
tions," Hurley continued. This applies
equally to proposals for a selective
service law for the mobilization of man
power in an emergency.
THE police Of the department is to
revise constantly all drafts of bills
deemed necessary in an emergency and
to submit them to congressional COM
mittees for informal discussion, review
and approval whenever Congress de-
sires"
The department expects to lay its
plans before the congressional commits
sion studying methods for minimizing
the profits of war and for distributing
its economic burdens equitably.