Evening star., 1938-01-28
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Roosevelt, declaring ma
tional security demands it, called on
Congress today to enact into law the
first big Army and Navy program since
the close of the World War.
1t is the purpose of the Chief EXecu-
tive, clearly expressed, to put this
country into shape to defend itself
against any and all nations.
"As commander in chief of the
Army and Navy OF the United States
1t is my constitutional duty" said the
President in his special message to
both houses. Ito report to the Con-
gress that our national defense is, in
the light of the increasing armaments
OF other nations, inadequate for the
purposes of national security and re-
quires increase for that reason"
Mr. Roosevelt's demand was inter-
preted as notice to the nations of the
world that the United States would be
prepared for any eventuality
Asks Mobilization Law.
While the program outlined by the
President calls for new expenditures
Of about s29,2O0,00O during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1939-unless
conditions arise which demand more
speedy expenditures-the. program
which he outlined will run into hum
dreds of millions of dollars, and pos
sibly into the billions.
He proposes 20 per cent increase
in the Navy building program. He
proposes to build up the enlisted Re-
serve of the Army and to supply the
Army with more adequate anti-air-
craft material. He asks Congress also
for law to prevent profiteering in
war time; a measure to mobilize all
the man power and the material re-
sources of the Nation.
Here are the Presidents recon-
mendations:
. % That there be authorized for the
Army of the United States additions
to anti-aircraft materiel in the sum
of $8,800.000. and that of this sum
$6.8OO,O0O be appropriated for the fis-
cal year 1889.
(2) That there be authorized and
appropriated for the better establish
ment of an enlisted reserve for the
Army the sum of S450,000
80 That there be authorized the ex-
penditure of S6,O80,000 for the manu-
facture of gauges. dies and other aids
TO manufacture of Army materiel the
sum of $5,0O0,000 thereof, to be ex-
pended durng the fiscal year 1899.
$1,000 900 for Ammunition.
% That the sum of $4,000, 900 be
authorized and appropriated toward
the making up of deficiencies in am
munition for the Army.
90 That the existing authorized
building program for increases and
requirements in the Navy be increased
by 20 per cent.
60 That this Congress authorize
and appropriate for the laying down
of two additional battleships and two
additional cruisers during the calendar
year 1898. This will call for the ex-
penditure of a very small amount of
Government funds during the fiscal
year 1889.
CD That the Congress authorize
and appropriate sum not to exceed
$15.000,000 for the construction of a
number of new types of small vessels,
such construction to be regarded as
experimental in the light Of new de-
velopments among iavies; and to in
clude the preparation of plans fol-
other types Of ships in the event that
1t may be necessary to construct such
ships in the future.
In addition, he asked for legislation
aimed at the prevention of profiteerine
In time of war and the equalization OF
the burdens of possible war.
The President pointed out that for
years the United States has sought
to bring about a reduction of arma