New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-31
PROGRESS ON THE ARMY BILL
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY
THE HOUSE

THE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT AUTHORIZED TO REDUCE
INFANTRY COMPANIES AND CAVALRY
TROOPS TO SIXTY MEN EACH
FINAL VOTE TODAY
Washington Jan 30-The House put In a hard
day's work on the Army bill. and tonight when
It adjourned thirteen Of the twenty pages had
been completed The committee amendments CIV
ing the President discretionary power TO reduce
the size Of the infantry companies and cavalry
troops 70 sixty each were adopted. and also
series OF amendments 10 reduce the officers Of
tho staff by s3i. a substitute adopted for the
section providing for promotions which is designed
10 equalize promotions. night was made 10 re-
duce the age limit for officers 70 b. appointed 10
the various staff departments from fifty 10 thirty.
but IL failed. An amendment was. however
adopted 10 require mental and moral as well as
physical examination for such appointees Much
OF tho time to-day occupied in short speeches
on the general proposition 10 increase the Army
and annex the Philippines. and there were several
lively personal controversies The Anal vote is 10
be taken al o'clock tomorrow.
At the opening OF the session Mr.. Hopkins ptep.'
III reported the Census bill and gave notice that
he would call It up next Monday. The House then
resumed consideration OF the Army Reorganization
bill under an agreement that n the bill should be
completed to-day under the fve-mnute rule the
time tomorrow before o'clock he devoted TO gen
eral debate This arrangement was made TO give
the leaders on each side an opportunity to close
The first amendment offered to-day was that Of
which the committee had given notice authorizing
the President enlist only sixty men in cavalry
troop and sixty IN an infantry company MY Marsh
Rep.. I'D. who offered the amendment. SAID that
this would reduce the enlisted force 10 5000 men
n the President esercsed the discretion II conferred
on him.
The exact form Of the amendment is as follows:
Provided. The President in his discretion may en-
duce the number Of enlisted men IN troop Of cav
airy TO not less 5nan sns 70 e cnncerned under
reguiat lions OF the War Department
Mr.. Hav Dem Va, Of the minority Of the com
r1ittee protested 10 the House that II was impos-
sible 10 perfect a bill on the floor Of the House
He would offer an amendment, he said 10 have the
bill provide for only sixty men in infantry com
pany or cavalry troop. but give the President
discretion 10 increase the number TO l45 and 10
respectively this discretion. however. only 10 be
exercised In time OF war.
Mr. JOHNSON IN ANOTHER wRANGLE.
A warm alteration here occurred between Ny
Johnson (Rep. Ind and Mr.. Payne Rep.. n. y.
who was in the chair. the former asserting that
the Chair refused 70 recognize him Mr.. Payne ex-
piainAd that Mr. johnson had already consumed
much tina and he had felt constrained TO recog-
TOO much Johnson" shouted MY Iawney Chep"
Mimi amid laughter.
NJ De Almond De. Mo- objected 70 the amend
rnent on the ground that the discretionary power
was 10 be exercised In The wrong direction The
bill he commended should provide FOR ONLY 800"
men and the President should take The response
billy Of increasing It 10 1900 II should not pro
vide FOR 100 ooo and give the President discretion
10 reduce II
NJ Marsh's amendment relating TO tho cavalry
troops was adopted-lC5 70 g
Mr. HAY then offered the amendment Of which
he had given notice and Il was lost
N- Perkins Rep Iowa pointed out that the
only difference between he minority substitute
and -he pending bill that one gave the Presi-
dent discretion 70 enlist $3.50 volunteers and me
other 5000 regulars. Both sides conceded mat tor
al east years al increase In the Army was
necessary.
Mr. Hay said that the minority substitute only
conferred or the President authority 10 increase the
M iohnson denounced what ne termed Mt
o sm ip. III b in false position The effect Of the BIZ
Was 10 y. " IS AGATE i an army Of 1850
the committee amendmeDts were adopted es the
reaGinE Bo o. 'n Den Mo- declared that the coun-
NY the and T9nGre - W. we're sI
was the annexation Of the Philippines, the ADMIN
Wa e. 5r,er Ky announced himself amid
an outbreak Of applause on the Republican side IN
ayoT o. he Ts OF Gi ev wary Nth V9I Spain But
- - saw righ- here" continued Mr.. Berry,
that ! never want 10 the Philippines repre-
What IT. VOID YOU DO with them" asked Mr.
youid keep hem under our control and pro
toction as We vii Cuba, until they are able 10
NJ" W. f55n offered the amendment giving the Pres
idont me discretion 70 reduce the hummer OF en-
listed men IN infantry companies Holn 10 10 W.
and IL was agreed 70.
tn ror-ATTZF PROMOTIONS
NJ Grimm CRep. WIS., offered a substitute for
s.c,ion ? which had been agreed 70 by the COM
rn,,,ee T. was designed equalize promotions. To
this an amendment was offered 10 authorize in
time Of war the employment OF retired officers on
other than active duty
NJ CUMMINGS Dem, y y said he hoped the
,-Aatv would be ratified. and that then the Presi
t.,, uo,ld inform Congress what he intended 10
DO. lie gave noiiee me nroIdine tbaf none
~ Inc troops authorized In this bill should be used
as a posse comitatus or ~ putting down strikes or
riots except the Application ot a ,Ioverh3,. say
Iis command II ne had no opportunity 10 oHrr
he amendment. Nj Cummings SAID ne would vote
- -ecomr1ir wiki Instructions 10 lns"rt H.
Mr. Wabon (Rep Penn offered an amendment
to the section Proyane lop MEM SO as 10 pro-
vide for mental and moral az well as physical
e%sn'ia ndis REP. Ind contended that the Phil
,ppines should be held in the interest Of human I'D
e'1So Nahor amendment was adopted
Amendments reducing the NUMBER OF ASSISTANTS
IN Inc staff departments were adopted
The committee amendment provioihs LOT one
hundred dentists with the rank OF hrst lieutenant
was defeated. 49,, ..,,,,i,,es.s rro
Mr Hay protested against the connie pro ro
posed reductions in the Medical -oIps Pul tho MN,
Auctions were agreed 10. They reduced me mum,
Der OF surgeons and assistants from 81" 10 80 a,u
he number privatcs IN the hospital sery,r Iroil
. 600 20 / 500 H. all tho reduction IN COMMISSIONER
officers in the staff numbered 81 , ,o bir
Aft.r completing Inc twelfth .ecuon OF lllf VA
tho committee rose and az 5.11 the Rouse "u-
mad q eli
THE PHYLA DFLPHIA WILL 60 TO HAu'A'