Evening star., 1935-12-09
DERN ASKS 5000
COMBAT PLANES
5-Year Plan Urged-WouId
Strengthen All Branches
of Army.
BY the Associated Press.

A declaration by Secretary Dern
that the Armys air force Is 'far short
Of its reasonable requirements" was
accompanied today by recommenda-
ton In his annual report that meas
ures be taken "at once" to provide a
flve-year aircraft program, under
which a minimum of 800 fighting
planes would be purchased annually.
While the need of nearly quad
rupling the present strength of the air
force was considered paramount, the
War Secretary reported to President
Roosevelt that "in the absence of any
effective assurance of permanent
peace" the American military ma
chine must be maintained at peak et-
f1ciency Ito proyide against unforeseen
eventualities. With this in view,
Dern recommended greater strength
for the Regular Army, the National
Guard, Reserve officers, Citizens Mil
itay Training Camps and the erection
of new War Department building 10
centralize its working forces.
The new department building, agi-
tated for a number of years by prede-
cessors, would be part of $257 900, 900
program for housing and other con-
struction at Army posts which Dern
hoped would be financed out Of Pub
lie Works or future appropriations.
Hits Unpreparedness Policy.
"It is a pity" Dern's report said
shat we should have become as OBJ
livious to the bitter lessons of the
World War as to allow our defense
to dwindle until. if any other wal
should be forced upon us, we should
as usual, be unprepared for effective
action"
The aircraft program, he estimated
would equip the Army With 5000 COM
bat planes by the end Of the flve-yeal
period. It now has 1876 planes, oi
which only 83S are combat. The
remainder are observation, training
and transport ships. There are 3l4
more under construction.
In the event Of sudden war, Derr
warned, I'VE should find that our So
called economies have in reality beer
81 UluSOuS1y CAO4 a oGo4AS "SN0SS ~
money and lives"
Hailing what he said has been 6
growing consciousness" on the par
of the Nation in the last year Of {
need for "a more adequate and {
more modern defensive establishment,
Dern added:
With an army that is, and always
has been, scrupulously loyal anC
subservient to the duly constituted
authorities, the danger Of so-callec
'militarism' would appear to be re
mote indeed"
Half Requirements.
Approximately half the new aircraf
purchased each year would be used Il
replace obsolete planes under th'
Secretary's plan and the other hal
would augment the existing service
able strength.
The report made these additiona
recommendations:
Maintenance of the Regular Arm!
at a minimum strength of $4,000 OH
GERS and 10000 enlisted men, in
volving the addition of 1000 officers
Maintenance Of the National Guar
at a minimum strength Of 100000
necessitating an increase of approx
mately $4,000.
Increasing from 10000 to 10000 tn
minimum number of organized Re
serve officers to be given two week
annual training.
More Youth Training.
Enrolment of $4,000 youths an
nually in citizens military trainin
camps. There were 10000 enrollet
last Summer.
An enlisted reserve strength sufd
cient to bring existing Regular Arm!
units to war strength.
Inauguration of a munitions pro
'curement program with the object o
acquiring a full complement of mod
ern weapons and other equipment fol
the Regular Army and National Guarc
at peace strength.
Provision of funds for completion o.
the Arny's housing program.
With respect to the new department
building, Deru emphasized centralized
control in Washington is necessary fol
proper coordination and for econ
omies in purchasing under the division
of the Army into nine regional STATS
At present, he said, the War Depart.
naent occupies in whole or IN part 6
large number of buildings in various
parts of the District, many of which
are rented.
During the past year, it has beel
called upon to surrender some Of it
space to provide Office room for variul
emergency relief agencies" he sale
'"This has served to aggravate the al
ready overcrowded conditions unde
which the department functions an
the great disadvantages resulting fror
the partial occupancy of numerou
widely separated buildings"
Cites General Headquarters Force.
The report described recent organ
ization Of the General Headquarter
Air Force as one of the most importan
recent steps toward improved nations
defense.
This force, consisting of virtually a
the air combat elements, is so organ
lied as to permit its concentration a
any point without delay.