Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-16
Army Reorganization Measure in the
Senate.
NECESSITY FOR ITS PASSAGE SHOWN
Indemnity for SpaincRuIed Out Of
the Sundry Civil Bill.
POINT OF ORDER RAISED


rotary of the Navy to pay certain laborers,
workmen and mechanics at United States
| navy yards ard naval stations 90 per cent
additional for work performed in excess of
eight hours per diem was called up
Mr.. Hawley Comm inquired of Mr. Bur-
rows tMich.), who had the measure in
charge, if it applied to existing contracts
He said if it did apply it might bank
rupt some contractors.
Mr.. Burrows explained that it applied
only to regular employees of the naval es-
| tablishment. The resolution was adopted
AT the conclusion of morning business, on
motion of Mr.. Hale (Me.), the Senate took
up for consideration the House bill to re-
organize and increase the efficiency of the
navy and Marine Corps, ordinarily known
as the naval personnel bill.
Mr.. Hale then yielded to Mr. Sewell On
j., who called up the Military Academy
appropriation bill, and its consideration
was begun. After being read the bill was
passed without debate.
Consideration of the naval bill was then
begun.
At the conclusion Of the reading of the
bill and the presentation to the Senate of
the first committee amendment, Mr.. Hale
announced that he would not press the
measure further at this time, but would
yield to Mr.. Quay 0oa.), who called up the
post office appropriation bill.
Restoration of Pensions
Mr.. Gallinger On. H) called up the bill
enabling soldiers who served in the Span
ish war who had previously been pension
ers again to obtain their pensions and had
1t reconsidered. The proviso of the bill
that applicants for pensions should file
their claims within 8 year was stricken
out and the bill was then passed.
The Hull Army Bill Reported
Mr.. Hawley Comb chairman of the
military affairs committee, reported to the
Senate the army reorganization bill. He
said that the committee was evenly d-
vded, so that agreement had been
reached to report two measures, one by
each division of the committee He pointed
out that the peace treaty which already
had been ratified by the Senate would be
ratified, perhaps, by March 10, by the
Spanish cortes, and the two countries would
then be ready to exchange notifications.
The situation then, he said, would be
serious, as existing law gave the President
no alternative, but required him to dis
charge the volunteers from the service,
|. and to reduce the regular army from about
$4,000 to 2T0oO men. Sucn discharge and
reduction would be the imperative duty of
the President. He regarded this as one OF
the greatest crises in the history of the
country, and in pressing the bill to passage
he was actuated only by what he regarded
as the imperative demands of the present
situation. fr
The Democratic Proposition.
Mr.. Cockrel (Mo), 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 reorgani
cation of the army was, a project of the
highest Importance. The proper reorganiZa-
ton of the army, he maintained, could not
be effected in so brief time as would be
allowed before this Congress adjourned He
declared that he and those for whom he
spoke We're opposed to an unnecessarily
large increase in the army. He regarded
the authority given the President by the
bill reported to reduce the army to 59,915
men as virtual confession that that num-
Der would be sufficient for the army.
He then said that he was willing to have
a bill enacted which, he declared, would af-
ford the President ample power. The bill
he proposed provides that within a blank
Number of days the volunteer force now in
the service be mustered out and discharg
ed; that the act of April 26, 1898. be con-
tinued in full force till July /, 1901, and
that the President be authorized to enroll
military force of 81, 600 men in the islands
of Cuba, Porto Rico and Philippines-these
troops to be officered as the President may
direct, restricted In service to their respec-
tive islands and not to be considered part
of the permanent military establishment.
SUCH an act, Mr. Cockrell said would con-
tinue the military establishment a about
$1,000 men. and, in addition, would afford
the President an additional force of 30. 900
men from the various islands This force
would be absolutely at the disposal of the
President until peaceful conditions We're re-
stored in the various new possessions of the
United States