Evening star., 1939-01-15
Nation Can Execute Proposed Defense Program Without
Presidents Plan
Seen Practical
Will Affect Citizens
in All Walks
of Life
By Joseph S. Edeerton.

racing 1OT Illt lllSl lllllC 1IA VIC AAAooOAJ
of any nation the necessity of Defend
ing an entire hemisphere against pos
sible military aggression, the United
States is girding itself for military
program surpassed only once in the an
nails of the country.
Confronted with the necessity for
arrning as never before in peacetime
history to meet changing world condi-
tions which threaten the continued
existence of the American democracies,
the American people apparently are
ready to support by overwhelming ma
I. jority the most complete preparedness
program they ever have shoulGered ex-
cept during the World War.
On top of the largest Army and Navy
estimates submitted to Congress in 10
years, President Roosevelt has called for
an additional national defense program
to cost $552 900, ,000 The regular annual!
budget message listed total of 81 3d.
$4,000 for national defense purposes.
S4s0O00,00O in the Air.
Since, in the words of the National Ad-
visory Committee for Aeronautics, "the
sudden and rather general appreciation
of the potentialities of modern air power
is the most significant event that has oc-
Cured in modern times along defense
lines, a major portion of the program
for new construction has to do with
building up our air power. OF the special
program, total of more than $330,00O,-
600 is proposed for various aviation re-
4. quirements. Approximately $15OOOO,O 900
Is recommended for aviation purposes in
the regular defense budget, or total of
more than $3.50 900, 900 in the regular and
special programs.
It is obvious that the tremendous de-
fense program as now proposed will
make itself felt in every phase of Ameri-
can life. Apart from the fact that tax
payers everywhere must support the
program financially, there will be a call
upon every State for personnel for the
military machine, new bases will be es-
tablished at many points and virtually
every heavy industry will contribute to
defense construction. Colleges and uni
versities in practically every State will
be called upon to train pilots: the pro-
posed schedule calls for 10000 trainees
year. The pick of these civilian avia-
tors will be given special military train
ing to fit them for places in the tactical
squadrons of the Army, Navy and Ma
rine Corps.
Educational" orders for highly spe-
cialized military equipment will be placed
with key manufacturers throughout the
country to make certain that American
industry is trained and ready for war
time tasks.
OF the S525,O0O0OO proposed in the
special program, President Roosevelt has
recommended that about $4,000 900 be
spent before the end of the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1910, and that of this
amount $50,000,00O be made available at
once for airplanes ito correct the pres
ent lag in aircraft production due to
idle plants"
$667 100000 Navy Budget.
Needs of the Navy have been cared
for largely in regular appropriation
measures Of the past few years. Com
pletion OF construction so far provided
is expected to put the United States
Navy in first place among the naval
powers. Orders for three 35,OOO- ton
battleships were placed last November
They are expected to reach total cost
OF $225 900 900. The regular Navy budget
submitted to Congress January 5, calls
for $667 ,498 800 for the Navy, an in
crease Of $92589, ,250 over the current to-
tal. Funds for actual naval construction
would total $27O,0oo,ooO, providing for
continuing work on some 80 vessels al
ready under way and for beginning con-
struction in 1910 of two battleships,
which may be the worlds largest; two
cruisers, eight destroyers, eight subma-
rines, two seaplane tenders and one re-
pair ship.
The special defense program, accord
ingly, is devoted largely to needs of the
Army, which would receive $3.50, 900 900,
as against only $65 100000 for new needs
of the Navy. The program includes
s10,000,000 for training of civilian air
pilots.
The Army program calls for a mini
mum of 5000 new airplanes, the Presi-
dent said. He expressed the hope that
quantity production methods would de-
crease unit costs so that actually many
more alrplanes might be obtained. These
alrplanes will be used to strengthen the
air defenses of the Continental United
States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and
the Canal Zone
Plane Plants Ample.
A heartenlng feature of the program
is that the proposed aviation expansion
Is within the reach of the existing ia
cilities of the country and therefore will
not result in overexpansion, followed by
danger of subsequent collapse. There
had been considerable uneasiness on this
score. For weeks the country had heard
rumors Of 10000-airplane program. en-
failing possible construction of Govern
ment factories. There were alarming
reports of German air strength and
warnings that this country must at least
duplicate such strength to sassure Sc
curity.
After such rumors, reports and warn
ings, the Presidents defense recon-
mendationS of last Thursday sounded
nservative-almost restrained. Actu-
ally, however. they are said to be based
upon the considered judgment of military
and naval experts and leaders of the
W Sy,I, cf,r1y of