Evening star., 1936-01-06
ROOSEVELT URGES
NEARLY A BILLION
EXPANSION of Armed Forces
to Raise LAST Years
Figure.

BY the Associated Press.
A national defense budget of nearly
a billion dollars-the largest peace
time sum ever asked for strictly mill
tary and naval purposes-went to
Congress today from President Roose-
welt.
He estimated 1897. .791 .966 would be
required in the 1867 fiscal year for
both the Army and Navy. A sl93,-
600 900 increase over estimated 1885
expenditures would be devoted largely
to the acquisition of new fighting
ships. aircraft and personnel in the
year starting July l.
Taking notice of the lack of prog
ress at the London Naval Conference
toward a new limitations agreement,
he asked Congress to provide $751;
872, 400 for the Navy, much of which
would be used to build up the fleet to
full treaty strength by 1912.
507 New Army Planes.
For the Army provision was asked
for purchase of 507 new airplanes.
more tanks. armored and combat cars.
an increase in the number of West
Point cadets and in the National
Guard
In connection with naval outlays, a
White House analysis said, carryover
and emergency funds would make
1921 100000 available for spending,
compared with $6O3. 500 900 in 1886.
"These estimates" it said. repre-
sent the minimum amount considered
necessary to maintain the Navy as an
efficient military unit, and especially
to provide for orderly progress in the
construction of ships. aircraft and
shore facilities. and an increase in
the number of officers and men toward
the strength contemplated for the
treaty Navy under the approved naval
policy.
Increase for Construction.
"The increase provided for 1887 is
principally for the construction Of
ships and aircraft and for additional
officers and men necessary to man the
ships and aircraft that will be in
commission during 1887"
Counting unexpended balances, 1t
was estimated s243000,000 would be
available for 1887 to provide for con-
tinuing work on the "a naval vessels
now under construction and for begin
ming work on IL destroyers and s
submarines to be laid down at the
beginning of the 1887 fiscal year,
compared with S233 100000 for 1896.
Including advance contract author
izations, s27.660,O00 was placed in
the budget estimate for naval air.
craft purchases, which it was esti-
mated, would provide 377 new air.
planes An additional s3,733,350 was
asked for aircraft maintenance and
operation, including experimental and
research work and instruments.
$500 Additional Men.
An increase of $17,000,000 was pro-
vided so that $500 additional men
might be recruited to bring the en-
listed strength up to 100000 by June
80. 1897.
The Marine Corps was allowed a
s1.664,o00 increase to boost its en-
listed strength from $4,000 to $1,000,
add 20 new second lieutenants. and
more aviation cadets and officers and
men to the Marine Reserve.
approximately 81 100000 was added
10 the Naval Reserve budget to pro-
vide for additions to bring that branch
up to 4,45O and 17,20O men, including
aviation cadets.
For the Army's military functions
S369,919 ,566 was asked. sum COM
pairing with s346, 6,0S4,S72 actually
appropriated in 1885.
The increase. it was explained, was
due primarily to enlarged require
ments for the air corps, authorized
increases in enlisted and cadet per-
sonnel. the promotion act and to
general rise in the price of army
food rations.
Although previous act of Congress
authorized an enlisted strength of
10000. the budget provided sufficient
funds only for an average strength
Of 147,000 during the fiscal year
OF 1887.
Quota by 1889.
Mr.. Roosevelt explained this was
with the purpose in view of provid-
ing in the 1888 budget the funds neces-
sary to recruit the Army" to full
strength by 1889.
He felt this is as fast as the Gov
ernment should proceed in the matter
in the light of the present forecast Of
fiscal affairs"
The Army's enlisted strength now is
100000.
The Army budget, providing $62,-
100000 for the Air Corps, represents
$17,000,000 increase over the sum pro-
vided for in 1896. Officers explained
that approximately S31 900 900 of this,
or exactly half. would be utilized In
procuring new planes in 1887
This would purchase 442 planes for
the Regular Army. so for the National
Guard and IS for the organized Re-
serve.
Mechanization Progresses.
Although they did not disclose full
uetaliS OF proposed allowances Tor new
equipment, Army officers said the five-
year program for mechanization was
proceeding satisfactorily" and its
continuation was provided for
Plans included the mechanization Of
two regiments of Cavalry with sup
porting artillery. modern tanks for
two-tank regiments and eight separate
divisional tank companies.
Provision was made for an increase
from 1874 to 1850 in the number Of
cadets at West Point. for an addition
of 5000 to the present 100000 officer
and enlisted strength of the National
Guard and for the training Of 27,500
at Citizens Military Training Camps.
$21 ,339, 900 SPENT DAILY