Evening star., 1933-04-12
Declares Shock of War Would
Destroy Present War
Department.
SAVING OF $5O,0O0,000
ANNUALLY PROPOSED
Head Of 7th Corps Area Admits
Embarrassment" Before
House Committee.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated PreSS.
Maj Gen. johnson Hagood told the
House Military Committee today the
War Department was so "topheavy"
that "the shock of war would destroy
it" and then submitted reorganization
plan he said was designed to save
$4,000, 900 annually.
"The War Department has always
collapsed at the outbreak of every war,
and the present organization will COL
lapse at the outbreak of the next war
because 1t is too topheavy, contains too
many conflicting agencies, has too much
divided responsibility, Hagocd said
1T has become so complicated that
an archangel right out of heaven could
not operate it."
Gave Plan to Hoover.
He presented detailed plan for re-
organizing the department and abolish
ing many offices. Hagood said it was
similar to plan he presented to Presi-
and about which nothing was done"
Hagood commands the 7th Corps
Area, with headquarters at Omaha,
Nebr. He came in response to COM
mittee subpoena and opened his testi-
mony by stating he was in an embar-
RAISING position"
II am a member Of the executive
branch of the Government and I owe
my loyalty to that branch" Hagood
said. II came here with the under
standing that I was to speak to an
agency appointed by the President for
that purpose. I now find that such
Is not the case"
Chairman McSwain said It was not
intended to get anybody's approval for
the committees action and that Sec
retary Of War Dern himself would be
witness later.
Speaks as Drafted Man."
Hagood said he was willing to testi-
fy "as q drafted man" and McSwain
assured him we'll have the War De-
partment understand you are not rock
ing the boat
what have. you to fear from testify
ing?" asked Thomason, Democrat. OF
Texas.
Nothing at all" Hagood replied.
Then, opening . large brief case. he
distributed to the committee copies Of
his reorganization plan.
He praised Gen. Douglas Macarthur,
chief Of staff, and other responsible
Army ofhcials.
Hagood called for Navy equal to the
best In the world, strong harbor de-
fenses, advancing the National Guard
into the first line Of the Army, putting
the Regular Army in the reserve and
continuance Of the Reserve Oficers'
Training Corps.
Five Branches Of Army.
Hagood said he would reorganize the
War Department and general staff along
five natural functional lines-adminis-
tration, supply, tactics, Air Corps, Militia
Bureau" thus abolishing many positions.
The Chief Of Air Corps would take
over duties Of the present Assistant
Secretary of War for Air, whose Office
would be abolished. The Air Corps
would have q separate line of promo
tion In lieu Of flying pay, with advance
ment very rapid from second lieu
tenant to colonel"
A chief of the Militia Bureau would
supervise the State Militia.
In reorganizing the Army, Hagood
said "the Coast Artillery and Field
Artillery should be combined.
The Philippine Scouts should be
abolished. The Army should be taken
out OF China. The Army should be
organized into armies and army areas
corps and corps areas, as now provided
by the national defense act.
The War Department should be
demlntar1Zed and returned to its status
as civil bureau of the Government.