The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-17
ARMY BILL REPORTED.
Notice Given by Senator HRwIey that
He VIII Urge Prompt Action.

He VIII Urge Prompt Action.
WASHINGTON, Feb 16-The army re-
organization bill was reported to the Senate
to-day and Mr.. Hawley, chairman of the
military affairs committee, gave notice that
he would move to proceed to its considera-
ton at the earliest possible time The naval
personnel bill was taken up and read but
no effort made to proceed further with its
consideration. The Military Academy ap-
preparation bill was passed. The postofflce
appropriation bill was under consideration
during the greater part of the afternoon, but
was not disposed of finally. A spirited de-
bate occurred over the amendment of the
Senate committee providing for an appro-
priation TO secure fast mail service between
New York and Washington and Atlanta and
New Orleans. The amendment was retained
in the bill. A House joint resolution, au-
thorizing the secretary of the navy to pay
certain laborers, workmen and mechanics at
United States navy yards and naval stations
so per cent additional for work performed
in excess Of eight hours per diem, was
passed.
Mr.. Gallinger called up the bill enabling
soldiers who served in the Spanish war who
had previously been pensioners again to
obtain their pension and had it reconsid-
for pensions should file their claims within
a year was stri@kea out and the bill was
then passed.
When Mr.. HaWley reported the army re-
organization bill he said that the commit
tee was evenly divided so that an agreement
had been reached to report two measures,
one by each division of the committee.
When the peace treaty ratihcations were
exchanged the situation, he said, would be
serious as the law gave the President no
alternative, but required him to discharge
the volunteers in the service and to reduce
the regular army of about $1,000 to 27,000
men. He regarded this as one Of the great
est crises in the history of the country, and
I'm pressing the bill to passage he was actu-
ated only by what he regarded as the inn
perative demands of the present situation.
Mr. Cockerel, speaking for the other five
members of the military affairs committee,
presented a written statement in the nature
of a minority report He agreed with Mr..
Hawley that the reorganization of the army
was a project Of the highest Importance.
The proper reorganization of the army, he
maintained, could not be effected in so brief
a time as would be allowed before this Con-
gress adjourned. He declared that he and
those for whom he spoke were opposed to an
unnecessarily large increase in the army
He regarded the authority given the Presi-
dent by the bin reported to reduce the army
to 59,975 men as a virtual confession that
that number would be sufficient. Mr. Cock
Tell said that he and those who believed
with him had no desire, disposition or inten.
tion to withhold from the ~esident all the
men and money he might need. He referred
to the action of himself and his associates
in upholding the hands Of the President
prior and during the war with Spain, and
alluded to the ffty-milhon appropriation as
an unprecedented act" He then said that
he was willing to have a bill enacted which,
he declared, would afford the President am
pie power The bill he proposed provided
that within a blank number Of days the vol
unteer force now in the service be mus
tered out and discharged; that the act Of
April 26, 1898, be continued IN fun force till
July J. 1901; and that the President be au-
thorized to enroll a military force of 50 900
men in the islands Of Cuba Porto Rico ana
Philippines-these troops 10 be officered as
the President may direct, restricted in serv-
ioe 10 their respective islands, and not 10 be
considered a part Of the permanent military
establishment Such an act. Mr.. CockreI
said would continue the military establish
ment at about eco men. and in addition
would afford the President an additional
force Of 35 900 men from tbs various islands.
This force would be absolutely at the dis
posal OF the President until peaceful condi-
Continued on Second Page9