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Show YOUNGER ARMY LEADERS URGED WASHINGTON, May 16 UP) Secretary Sec-retary Woodring told tha bouse military mil-itary committee today the army needs younger officers In its higher ranks because It must be ready. If necessary, to defend the western hemisphere. Testifying on legislation designed to vitalize" the officer strength of of overage officers, Woodring said an existing "hump" In the promotion system made the army's officer personnel the weakest link in the nation'a defenses "Our mission remains the same the defense of our country," the secretary sec-retary of war declared, "but the great reduction of the elements of time and space made possible by modern science baa broadened our field of action so aa to embrace, if need be. the western hemisphere." Under the bill Woodring recommended, recom-mended, officers of specified ages and ranks would ba forced to retire whenever the total separations of officers from the service in any year failed to reach 4,35 per cent of the entire officer strength. Officials Of-ficials estimate 3300 would be affected af-fected Immediately. |