The Coolidge examiner., 1939-03-02
WHY A STRONG NATIONAL DE
TENSE is ESSENTIAL TO
PEACE

On April! 6, 1917 the United States
| declared war on Germany and not
until over year afterward in May
1918 did American Armies take part
in any major battle. This period be-
tween April, 1916 and May 1917
was period of preparation. We
were not prepared for war and
within a short period Of time the
United States was turned into a
war factory
When we think of war we must
not only think of the tragedies that
occur on the battlefields but of the
people at home. We must remember
the sacrifices they are making. For
| instance, during the World War to
allow for food for the armies in
! France, we here were allotted Il
certain amount Of sugar, flour and
so forth per person per month. The
red Cross asked for donations Of
money or labor from the individual.
| Women and girls met once a week
at a designated time and place and
under the supervision of a Red
| Cross official or nurse. They rolled
bandages, sewed, and made knitted
garments to send to the soldiers
overseas. Due to the scarcity Of
J employees production was lessened
but the demand was greater; there
| fore each home became a factory
where knitted goods such as wash
cloths, mittens, socks, pilots he'll
NETS, mufflers, and sweaters were
made in the housewives spare time.
Had we been prepared such ex-
tremeties would not have been
necessary.
In this western hemisphere we
have a rich diversity of resources
and a respectful peaceful people
Ifunctioning together under an ideal
OF democratic government. These
people must be protected because
the word has grown so small and
weapons of attack so swift that no
nation can be safe in its will to
peace as long as any other single
powerful nation refuses to settle
its grievances peacefully.
With our defense, that is, our
armies and navies, fully equipped
we can have that protection. Pres.
Roosevelt has asked Congress for
little over one half million dol
lars to build up our national de-
Tense. In the defense plans 45O
million dollars has been set aside
for the army. OF this amount 300
million dollars will be used for air
craft. 1t has been estimated that
only 10 million dollars will be used
for airplanes. Some of the reasons
for spending so much of the Armies
apportionment for air defenses are:
/. An air force must include
planes. combat and maintenance
crews and air bases.
2. Like the Navy, it must be IN
existence when an emergency
arises, being the first to see action.
Production capacity applies only to
requirements.
8. Even a defensive force must
include many bombing planes
capable of Gripping the enemy
bases.
4. The Munich conference show
ed air forces are powerful voices
at the peace talks.
1t has been estimated that Ameri-
can aircraft industry could more
than triple it's present output OF
airplanes to 10000 planes in three
years, a production figure, which
Germany has already attained
Other projected expenditures will
J include: 62 million dollars for con-
struction at existing air stations
and establishment Of air. bases IN
Alaska, Puerto Rico, New Hemp
shire, and Florida, 33 million dol
lars to add 1900 officers and 25,Ooo
enlisted men to the air corps pres
ent personnel The increase in en-
listed strength would include l'Zoo
flying cadets.