The Cabinet

Weeks' Report

Secretary of War Weeks presented his compliments and his annual report to the President. Said he:

"If future emergencies come to the United States, we shall have to create virtually our entire force after the declaration of war, which will be a tremendous task, however well conceived. Probably in no other army in the world, consequently, is it so important as in ours that organization, material, equipment, training plans and mobilization projects should be as simple as possible.

"Practicality does not thrive in circumstances where shortage of officers makes it necessary to detail, as instructors with civilian components, officers who have not had sufficient duty with a unit of their own branch of service. Practicality does not thrive in inactive units, depleted strengths, imaginary maneuvers, paper plans, fictitious reserve stocks and theoretical weapons."

He pointed out that, because of stringent economy, our Army has now only 80% of the commissioned officers required for its peace strength; that it had become necessary to issue to enlisted men inferior equipment left over from the War; that the National Guard had grown beyond the limits set for it in current appropriations; that soon most of the veterans of the War would have reached such an age that we would be left without a reserve of citizens trained and with experience in the field. That some plan for building up a dependable reserve must be undertaken.

-He recommended that the Army Air Service be increased to a personnel of 3,000 officers and 25,000 men.