The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-12
House COMMITTEE
WOULD SLASH COSTS
IN military BUDGET
All Phases Of Army Activity Ex.
cept Air Corps Affected BY
New Program
KEEP OFFICER STRENGTH
Reserve Officers Camps Would
Be Shortened; Recruiting
Costs Halved
KEEP OFFICER STRENGTH
Washington, Jan. 12.-(R-The con-

washington, Jan. lE.-(H)-Ine con.
tinuing drive for economy brought to
the house Thursday from its appro-
priations committee q bill recon-
mending $3l $4,000 less to carry on
the military activities Of the war de-
partment next year than was allowed
for this year.
The same measure also allowed
SIS. $4,000 less for n-military work,
but much of this reduction was due
to homecoming emergency construc-
ton authorized last session and not
continued in the new bill.
As submitted to the house, the bill
would allow $273 ,079, 900 for military
and $72, 743, 900 for non-military activ-
tiles for the 1894 fiscal year. This
was an apparent reduction Of $780,
100000 for this year, but $50,0OO.OOO
of this was accounted for by non-re-
curing emergency construction.
Excluded from the bill was 81 ,000,-
600 asked by the budget bureau for
continuation of citizens military
training camps.
The measure would permit the ma
tional guard to motorize all field ar
tillery regiments with light CONNER
cial vehicles, continue the officer
strength of the army at $4,000. short
en- the training period for members
Of the reserve officers training corps
from a to 80 days and cut recruiting
expenses In half.
Likewise, it would allow the air
corps to make contracts for new
planes to the extent Of 100000 In
addition to giving an outright appro-
priation of $23,537 900 to that branch.
Air Corps Grows
An advance in the last year from
fourth to third rank in the worlds
military air strength was claimed for
the United States by #. Trubee Davt-
son, assistant secretary Of war for
aviation.
In testimony before the appropria-
tions subcommittee, Dawson said:
Our tactical position Is very much
better today than 1t was at the be-
ginning of the five-year program, IN
spite Of all the difficulties we have
gone through, particularly In the last
three or four years.
THAT has reflected change In our
relative air strength as compared
with other nations. This coun-
try stands far and away first. as far
as naval air strength Is concerned.
when we combine the army and
the navy together we stand third IN
the world today. whereas last year we
stood fourth.
when we take simply the army air
strength alone, as compared With the
land air strength of other powers
alone, we stand fourth this year Is
against fifth last year. So far as
planes are concerned, in performance
and efficiency, we lead the world at
present"
Major General b. D. Foulois. chief
Of the air corps, told the committee
the army had 1896 pilots for heavier
than.air planes and u airShip pilots.
Land Forces Weak
General Douglas Macarthur, chief Of
staff, ranked the United States sew
enteenth in military strength Of land
forces among the nations Of the
world.
Warning that I'VE are living In
troublesome times" the army leader
said practically all other nations are
increasing their strengths" while the
United States has reduced Its forces.
world conditions are unsettled
and provocative" Macarthur said
'Many nations are passing through
economic crises. The tense situation
in the far east, which for some weeks
during the past winter famed into
open hostilities, emphasized again the
Observation-Disclosures Of treaties as CON-
plete safeguards to international
peace.
"The army can suffer in all other
things and still carry out its main
mission. Cut into its trained man
power and you destroy the military
framework which supports our sys-
TEN Of notional defense"