The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-06

dppl d4SC 1Go W41OAC 0ACA1OAOAA' But real rearmament by 1940 standards - the $10,000,O00 900 pro- gram for 35,000 airplaneS and a modern army of 100000 men - is just beginning. It will take well into 1942 to convert those ten billions into sinewS of war, and five years to build the two-ocean navy.
 Those are the fundamental facts that stand out in a detailed survey of the program made this week by the Washington staff of the United Press
 It is a story of volunteers joining the colors in unusual numbers for peace time, but still in numbers too small to fit the arny'S views of what is needed.
 Of haggling and delay over some contracts on one hand, while on the other hand $2187,312,000 of con- tracts have been approved by the defense commission since the first half of the ten billions was appro- priated in June.
 Of necessity for building whole new factories in many instances to handle the orders now being pumped out.
 Figures Tell Story
 Here are figures that provide a quick survey of the present status of the armed forces. They were ob- tained in most instances from oft1- cial sources; where exact data were withheld, best estimates by informed sources were used.
 Army Air Force: Planes on hand, July 1, 1939-About 2,000; on Aug. Is, a94O-about 3,20O. Planes on oro- der-5,245.
 Naval Air Force: Planes on hand July 1, 1939-1 ,648; on Aug. 15, 1940 -1.B97.-Planes on order-2,429.
 Army: Regular enlisted strength on July l, 1939-174,074; on Aug 16, i94O-289, ,000.
 lEavy: Combatant ships in com mission on July 1, 1939-364; on Aug. 15, 1940-4O8 (of which 50 de- stroyers are being turned over to the British). Warships under con- struction-132. Enlisted strength on May 2S, 194O-136,164; on Aug. 15 1940-147, ,513.
 Now for the details of what is in progress now and what is to come:
 DEFENSE FUNDS
 Congress was working on regular Army and Navy appropriation bills when Germany invaded the Low lands and France in May-the event that marked Americas decision to seek "totap rearmament. They were record peacetime bills, but at the presidents request they were doubled to a total of approximately $5.Oo0, 100000. That money became available in June.
 In response to another White House request, a bill carrying an other $5,000 100000 plus is now al- most ready for the presidents sig nature. The overall total is $l0,496,- 100000. Roughly two-thirds of 1t ls for the Army; one-third for the Navy.
 Thus, the first half of the money has been available for spending fol only 8 little over two months. In that time the Defense Commission which handles contracts in excess of $500,0O0, has cleared orders fol $2,187,312,000. In addition, the Army and Navy have awarded hundreds of smaller contracts.
 Big contracts for airplanes, tank: and munitions are among those awarded. But in many instances that does not mean quick produc. ton. Existing airplane factories, tol instance, already are working tt capacity on both foreign and do mestic orders. Planes being made now were ordered with money votee by congress in 1939 Design ane construction of new plants to handle the big present and impending or ders takes time.
 THE AIR FORCES
 On Aug. 15, the Army and Navy had approximately 5,079 planes oI hand. Sometime in 1942 this figure is expected to be 35,000. Planes or order under signed contracts tota 7,674, distributed in this manner:
 Army-Trainers, 2,73l; combat 2,5l4-total SPAS.
 Navy-Trainers, 1,401; combat, |, OF; miscellaneous, 11-total 2'429. In addition, 2,967 planes are con sidered tentatively on order becaus' manufacturers have assured the fed ,eral government of intention t' make contracts as soon as the man ufacturers are satisfied with con gressional action on taxes and re lated matters.
 Of the total planes on hand Aug IS, approximately 3,200 are Arm, craft and 1897 in the Navy. Tn impending supplemental defense ap propriation bill provides money fo an additional 14.394 planes for tn Army and 4,028 for the Navy. Tn program envisions 25,000 planes il the Army and 10000 in the Navy il late l942.
 The plane orders to date hay been concentrated on training crafi The Army and Navy say this is ne ,essary or they won't have pilots { nan the combat craft to come.
 Aircraft production now ha reached the rate of 10000 annual, tt is expected to reach an annua rate of i3,000 to i4.000 by Januar! io4i; 24.O00 by mid-i04i and 36Oo by early i042.
 Engine exports estimated the m aunl engine production rate u.oo q. ?. motors or larger ones) was q TO ia January. 1859, iD.280 March, i0i0, and probably wlll reac eo.2e0 by the end of this year.
 The Defense Commission has at proVed seven aircraft engine con tracts. the largest was ti0O,OOolot