The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-11
THE ARMY BILL
LITTLE PROBABILITY THAT 1T WILL
PASS BEFORE MARCH 4.
Temporary Provision, However, May
BE Made for Continuing the Present
Regular Military Force.
NO THREATS BY M'KlNLEY
PRESIDENT HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO
BULLDOZE CONGRESS.
Changes Made in the Measure by
Members of the senate Committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr.. OVERSTREET HOPEFUL
THINKS HE CAN PUSH THE INDIAN
APOLIs BILL THROUGH.
Will EndeavO or to Increase the ApprO-
priatiOn to ~, 500, ,OOO-The Samoan
Troubles Latest Phase.
Changes Made in the Measure by
Members of the senate Committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr.. OVERSTREET HOPEFUL
THINKS HE CAN PUSH THE INDIAN
APOLIs BILL THROUGH.
Will EndeavOr to Increase the ApprO-
priatiOn TO ~. 800, ,O0O-The Samoan
Troubles Latest Phase.
sneciaI 70 the Inaianapol,s Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON, Feb 10-Members of
Congress have been thrown into furor Dem
ocrats particularly, by the general circula-
ton of a baseless report that the President
had threatened an extra session if the Hull
army reorganization bill or some similar
measure were not passed this session. The
President never threatens Congress and
has not made the statements attributed TO
him. What he has said is that If provision
were not made for the army by the present
Congress he would have to call a special ses-
sion of the Fifty-sixth Congress. He speci-
fled no bill, nor did he attempt to instruct
Congress in its duty. AS matter of fact,
he will accept the proposition to continue
for another year the regular army at its
present strength, $1,000 men, if he cannot get
anything better Few unprejudiced observ-
ers of sound judgment now seriously antici-
pate the passage of a bill before March
for the reorganization of the army on per-
manent basis, and most people have settled
down 10 the conviction that the best Con-
gress will do will be to make temporary
provision for military force strong enough
to enable the President to restore and main
tain order in the Philippines and wherever
else it may be necessary within the jurisdc-
tion of the United States.
The subcommittee of the Senate commit
tee on military affairs having in hand the
bill for the reorganization of the army to-
day placed their labors in the hands of the
full committee. A large number of com
paratvely unimportant amendments were
made, the most significant being the follow
ing: The House provision abolshing the
canteen is stricken out and the following
substituted for it: THAT in the canteens es-
tablished under regulations of the army no
liquors shall be sold, except malt liquors
and Misunderstanding beverages, and this
shall apply to all encampments and forts
and premises used for military purposes by
the United States"
Another amendment provides that in time
of war retired officers of the army may in
the discretion of the secretary of war; be
employed on active duty, other than in the
command Of troops. and chat when so en-
ployed they shall receive the full pay and
allowances of their grades
The corps of cadets at West Point is in
creased to one from each congressional dis
trict. one from each Territory, one from the
District of Columbia, two from each State
at large and twenty from the United States
at large
There is a change in the provision regard
ing veterinary surgeons, giving only one of
the two allowed for each cavalry regiment
the rank and pay of a lieutenant of cavalry
and the other the rank of a sergeant major,
with the pay of $75 per month.
The provision in the House bill making the
artillery corps subject to the command and
control of superior authority is stricken
out. provision is added, requiring that the
approval of the secretary of war shall be re-
ouired to orders of the general commanding
assigning officers of the artillery corps to
duty.
A provision is added to the paragraph re-
garding the enlistment of infantrymen, linn
iting the age for original enistments in the
army between eighteen and thirty-five years.
A change in the regulation for the appoint
ment of second lieutenants to fill vacancies
provides for appointment by two methods
only one being from among graduates of
the West Point Academy and the other
from enlisted men and from civil life, as
now provided by law The House provision
for the appointment of graduates from pri-
vate military schools is eliminated. Nacan-
cies below the rank of lieutenant colonel
caused by the provisions in regard to the
adiutant generals and inspector generals
offices, are to be filled by the appointment of
captains from the line.
The number of surgeons who are to have
the rank of colonel is increased to ten, and
those with the rank of lieutenant co onel to
twenty. All persons appointed to be assist
ant surgeons are to be required to pass "a
! satisfactory moral, mental and physical ex-
animation"
The organization of natives for service in
Cuba, Porto Rico and the islands of the Pa
ciic is placed entirely at the discretion of
the President The full committee received
the army bill at a special meeting held at
2:3O O'Clock. but. without taking action, ad-
journed until Monday.
The skies are clearing for the indianapolis
building bill The House is gradually get
ting into a frame of mind favorable to the
passage of a group of deserving bills. and
unless something occurs to cause a change
of sentiment it is not going to be very diff
ficult matter to muster volunteers enough
during the last week of the session (suspen-
sion days. to suspend the rules and get
action. Twentyfour hours leeway is all Mr..
Overstreet asks. Given that much time he
believes il will be possible for Senator Fair
banks to secure Senate concurrence in the
House proposition. Indeed MIR. Overstreet
will endeavor to secure restoration of the
amount OF the appropriation to Sl,50O000, the
sum named in the Senate bill. Should he
succeed in so doing the matter will be set
tied then and there.
The army appropriation bill was COM
pleted to-day by the House committee on
military affairs and by dnt of pretty Sc
we're cutting of numerous items it was
brought down to $79OS4,972 1t is framed on
the basis of an army OF about 10000 men,
and contemplates the enactment of the Hull
bin for the increase Of the army or the re-