HARDING ADVISED U.S. NEEDS A REGULAR ARMY OF 150,000
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 16, 1922, President Warren G. Harding was advised by Secretary of War John W. Weeks and General John J. Pershing "that the military policy of the government cannot be maintained adequately with a Regular Army of less than 13,000 officers and 150,000 enlisted men."
The President was informed of how military reductions made in the last congressional session "crippled efficiency and prevented the carrying out of the national defense act of 1920*."
*National Defense Act (1920) reorganized the U.S. Army & decentralized the procurement & acquisition process for equipment, weapons, supplies & vehicles.
SOURCE
"Want U.S. To Maintain Army of 150,000 Men," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 16, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
