MILITARY SERVICE FAVORED FOR ALL BY F. D. ROOSEVELT

The principle of universal military training is strongly favored by the Hon. Franklin Dr. Roosevelt '04, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, who also believes in sufficient appropriations by Congress to maintain a constructive policy for the Navy.

Expense Main Objection.

The question of expense was the main criticism which Mr. Roosevelt had to offer when speaking of the "five months out of five years" universal military training bill recently before Congress. This bill provides for four consecutive months of intensive training for every man between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one and two periods of two weeks each for every man when classed as a reservist. Although no definite amount of the cost of such a program was computed, it was estimated that the cost would be between three-quarters of a billion and one and one-half billions of dollars. "Our country," Mr. Roosevelt said, "is in no condition at present to stand an expenditure amounting to one and one-half billions."

Petty Politics in Abundance.

It is unfortunate that this is a Presidential year for, because of this fact, Congress plays politics while the various departments suffer. As an example of such petty politics, Mr. Roosevelt spoke of the recent action of the House regarding the naval appropriations. It voted down a nine million dollar appropriation to be expended for necessary naval repairs and also a three million dollar appropriation which was proposed shortly after for the same purpose. Then, immediately following this, it voted an additional five million dollars for prohibition.

Naval Strength Should be Maintained.

Mr. Roosevelt advocates Keeping the naval strength up to its highest point of efficiency. He claims that enough men should be kept in the service to equip the peace strength navy and enough on reserve to equip the entire fighting force.