Evening star., 1932-12-12
CIVILIAN SOLDIERS
.. FIGHT BUDGET CUT
National Guard, Organized
!. Reserves, R. 0. T. c. and
= C. M. T. c. Affected.

Rejecting some economies directly
affecting the Army's civilian soldiers,
reductions provided in the 1884 budget
estimates for the War Department, 1t
was indicated yesterday, forecast a
sharp fight in Congress unless the mat
ters eye adjusted before the appropria-
ton bill is reported TO the House.
The personnel moss vitality affected In
the new estimates are. the men OF the
National Guard, the Organized Re-
serves. the Citizens Military Training
Camps and the Reserve Oficers Train
ing Corps. the latter comprising the
training units in military schools and
colleges The Regular Army, suffering
no change in the strength of officers
and enlisted men, apparently Is well
satisfied with the way it has Jared in
the budget, having previously been
given to understand that the reductions
provided in the general economy act
would continue.
AS previously indicated, the National
Guard has had its pay drills reduced
from a minimum of 48 year to "a.
This means a reduction of S4,652,3 in
the paw of Guardsmen throughout the
country, and accounts for the major
part Of the budget reductions suffered
by the Militia Bureau.
Association Protests.
The National Guard Association OF
the United States, with representatives
In 5000 communities, already has pro-
tested against this reduction of so per
cent in the drill pay of every Guards
man. Its opposition is based on eco
nomic conditions generally the Guard
or1nnltT1tinn fn G60 f0r ~
listed men up to about $500 for officers.
The total net reduction in the esti-
mates for the Militia Bureau, however,
amount to $3,590,032, despite the big
reduction in the drill pay. This is due
to other increased items including an
increase of $1,905,627 in expenses at
instruction camps. This was brought
about by 10 per cent increase II camp
attendance.
1 connection with the Air Corps ac-
tivities of the Guard, the flying time
for Guardsmen on inactive duty has
been increased from 96 to 125 hours.
This was made possible by $4,000 ad-
ditional being allowed for fuel.
The biggest slash IN estimates for
the Organized Reserves is reflected in
a 25 per cent reduction in the number
Of men attending the 14-day training
camps. This number has been reduced
from 600 to $4,000 trainees, which
would permit saving of S6l5,922. This
Is Offset to some extent, however, by
an increase of $340,143 estimated for
active and inactive flying duty. There
apparently has been no change in the
number Of Reserve officers, who will be
permitted to attend the various Regu-
lar Army service schools.
r. o. T. C. Saving Provided.
In the r. OF. C. units, saving Of
sl65,169 is provided by reducing the
duration of annual camps from AZ to
80 days, and a reduction in subsistence
allowances because of reduced COM
modify costs. AS with the National
Guard, the r. o. T. C. cadets receive
pay while attending the Summer camps
so the loss OF IL days will account for
a shrinkage. The budget estimates pro-
vide for no reduction, however, in the
127,565 students annually enrolled in
the r. o. IT. 6. and for the Summer
training of 100 students.
The Citizens Military Training
Camps will suffer a heavy loss unless
supporters in Congress undo the work
Of the budget estimates. The number
of trainees at these Summer camps
would be reduced from 1880 to 10000.
This would permit a saving Of
$I,592,6 ,619.
The situation regarding these COM
ponent branches of the Army would
not be SO serious, 1t was pointed out, If
the slaShes had been made in COM
mittee. Last year 1t was proposed to
abolish the r. o. T. C. as well as the
G. M. T. G in the name Of economy,
and but for pressure being brought in
the House, this probably would have
resulted.
The reductions now are proposed in
the budget itself, which makes a more
difficult obstacle to hurdle. The civilian
soldiers of the Army, however, are not
lacking in strong political support in
and out of Congress, being at a better
advantage In this respect than the
Regular Army itself.