Evening star., 1938-11-30
New England, Florida
And Alaska Air Bases
Reported Planned
Lively Discussion o.. Of.
Defense Expected
In Congress
~ the Associated Press.

Dy the Associated Press. s-
President Roosevelt's defense pro-
gram, military circles heard today,
may include the establishment Of
new Army air bases at several Of
the Nations strategic outposts.
II Ohicials said the President may
ask Congress for funds to build
bases In New England. Florida and
Alaska In connection with the prof.
ected expansion Of the Army air
fleet.
A special War Department board
already has inspected possible sites
In New Hampshire, and advocates
of a base in Florida to protect the
Caribbean and the Panama Canal
have been especially active since Mr..
Roosevelt declared national defense
involved the entire Western Hemis-
phere.
An aerial inspection trip to Alas
ka last summer by Assistant Secre-
tary of War Louis johnson pro-
duced a hint that the high COM
mand again might seek funds for
the long projected Alaskan base.
Lively Discussion Expected.
Meanwhile, comments by return
ing members Of Congress indicated
national defense will be the subject
of lively discussion at the next ses-
sion.
Representative Engel. Republican,
of Michigan, estimating that q
10000 plane air force would cost
as much each year as either the
Army or Navy, asserted that II Con-
gress we're to provide such q fleet,
I'VE should go into it with our eyes
open as to the cost"
Congress gave the Navy $685.
0OO, 900 for the current fiscal year,
and the Army received about $461,
900 .0O0)
I'm not saying we do not need
such an air force. because I am not
in a position to Judge the interna-
tional dangers" Mr.. Engel said. He
is member of the Subcommittee on
Military Appropriations and was an
Army officer in the World War.
Representative Engel estimated
that it would require an initial out
lay of $1,000. 100000 to quadruple
the present Army air fleet, with
replacement cost Of 5000 900 900 an
nually, besides greatly increased ex-
penditures for ground facilities and
increased personnel.
Holt to Ask for Facts.
Senator Holt, Democrat. OF West
Virginia declared that although he
favored adequate defense he would
"aSk for the facts to prove we need
the vast expenditure for ornaments
far beyond that advocated by the
best authorities of defense as nee
essary."
Urging a critical examination Of
armament proposals,
Senator Holt said:
If the plan is sound. it will not
hurt. If it is the result of hysteria
and politics and Is unsound. it
should be exposed" ' /
- otIcT NlcIHDeTS Ol OOIlSTeSS Hdu
defense proposals of their own.
Representative johnson. Democrat.
of Texas, declared construction of
q Nicaraguan canal was vital to
our defense system because the
Panama Canal could be put out of
business too easily"
Will Seek sl0,o0o, 900 Fund.
Representative Izac, Democrat, of
California, who advocated such q
project in the last Congress. said he
would again propose appropriation
of $4,000 900 to start work on the
project. with authority for the
Treasury to borrow $500, 900 900 to
finish it.
The Alaskan, New England and
Florida air bases reported under
consideration by the administration
we're authorized along with three
others by 1885 legislation. Only
one-at McChord Field, near Ia
coma, Wash.-has been established.
The legislation also authorized a
base in the Southeastern States,
and one in the Rocky Mountain
area