Evening star., 1938-01-30
RESERv|STSFACE
DR|L[REDUCT|0N
Cut in Appropriations May
Force Cut in Number
to Forty-Three.

Force Cut in Number
to Forty-Three.
Members Of the local Naval Reserve
as we'll as those throughout the
country are facing a cut in their
weekly drills and their sea going train
ing duty, II the reduction in their
funds made by the administration In
current appropriations, is permanent
ly kept. This reduction comes In the
face Of demands on the reservists for
more OF their time for preparation for
their training work, and at a time
when all branches Of the military
are attempting to augment their forces
as well as their training.
When cuts are made necessary in
the Navy for administrative economy
purposes, the Reserves has to bear a
great portion because the Navy be-
lieves its first duty Is to take all of
the money available and devote it to
keep the active fleet in the highest
state OF efficiency. 1t Is not unmind-
1ul, however, of the fact that the
reserVists are an important component
OF this force, and its work will b.
greatly needed in time Of a national
emergency
1t was explained to the subcommittee
on naval appropriations by naval
officers that if the administrative re-
serve of 100000 is not released, it will
| result in reduction in the number
of drills for the Reserve from 48 to
43 during the year; it will reduce the
number OF men Of the seagoing branch
to be given training duty and reduce
the aviation cadet program whereby
the average undergoing training at
Pensacola throughout the year will
be reduced from 478 to 462.
Five-Year Program.
The committee recommended this
reserve fund be continued availablo
during the coming fiscal year, instead
OF appropriating like amount, ana
credited this as saving on appropria-
tions for next year
The committee was told that tn
Secretary of the Navy has approved
five-year development program for tn
Naval Reserve for the fiscal years 1885
to 1912. inclusive. This program pro-
vides for an orderly building up of all
classes of the Naval Reserve in annua!
increments to aggregate 80 per cen:
Of mobilization requirements during
the fiscal year 1912, and. subject to
the appropriation Of necessary funds.
specifies the number of officers and
men of the various classes who ar
to be given training duty and W?
are to perform drills each year. Thi;
program, it was asserted, contem-
plated no increase in the preser'
number of feet divisions, but grad
ually strengthening these organiza-
tions to mobilization requirements and
giving them the drills and training
duty contemplated by law; graduallv
building up the Merchant Marine
Naval Reserve to 80 per cent O.
mobilization requirements, giving drill
and annual training duty to approx
mately one-half of those on the rolls.
and giving annual training duty to
approximately one-quarter of the bal
ance. and building up the voluntee,
Naval Reserve to 80 per cent CT
mobilization requirements. and giving
annual training duty to approximately
one-quarter of those on the rolls.
1t also contemplated a continuation
Of the aviation cadet program anC
its expansion by sufficient numbe.
ultimately to provide in the Navai
Reserve the additional qualified avi-
ators required by the Navy imme-
diately upon the outbreak of war
The ultimate annual cost Of thi.
program, including the aviation cade.
training program and all other ex-
penses chargeable against this ap-
preparation, is estimated at s2l,Sl8,-
900. The appropriation actually
granted for the current fiscal year
was insufficient to complete the first
years requirements. The budget nov
being considered for next year, it
was added. contemplates no progress
whatever toward fulfillment of the
program, other than increases in
aviation cadets at seat to meet pres
ent fleet needs.
Officers Testify.
Comdr. L. r. Rutter, naval re-
servist. appear before the committee,
on behalf Of the Naval Reserve Of
flcers' Association, to urge favorable
consideration to the recommended
tions for building up the Reserve to
take the part that is expected of
them in case of an emergency.
Capt. Leo w. Hesselman, national
president of the association. urged
that the average training Of the VOL
unteers be cut at least from 20 to
10 years. On the question of drilling
and training the active units. which
correspond with the National Guard,
he expressed the opinion that the
program for their expansion should
be completed. which would involve
1000 extra enlisted men Of the Fleet
Reserve, which would cost about
100000.
Naval Reserve officers believe that
the reduction in drills for the active
divisions will serve to cut the eff
ClenCy Oh tIle RESERVE uIlltS. 1lcIe
will have to be some period OF two
or more weeks when the men are not
called to drills. There is hope, how
ever, that even with the reduction
the enlisted men may be prevailed
upon to volunteer their time to keep
up their efficiency, as they volunteer
their week ends for the purpose of
getting training. However, in the
case of the local reservists, they have
not been given much support in their
efforts to keep the men interested in
the service, by providing them with
ship for taking week end trips.
The reservists believe If the drills
are cut it will result in a distinct loss
of efficiency, because there is no way
that the officers can compel the en-
listed men to attend drills. The law
provides they receive a days pay for
each weekly drill they attend, and If
the money is not available for this
they Of course cannot be required to
attend. The local reservists are at
the highest state ~ training In their