New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-26
CONTEST OVER ARMY BILL.
NO TINE FOR A VOTE FINED IN THE
SENATE.
A PERMANENT INCREASE STRONGLY or
POSED BY MR.. GORMAN-PRovIsIONs
OF THE BILL CRITICISED
AND DEFENDED.


fay TELEGRAPH To THE TRiBrNE.I
Washington Feb 23-After long ana
rather fruitless discussion of the terms oi '"e
comnrornise Army Reorganization bill the Sen
ate adjourned this evening until Monday WIN
on, fixing an hour for the final vote on that
,roosrra Mr. German showed himself some
what dissatisfied with certain details OF the
comnromise as reported from the Military At
fairs Committee and more or less friction was
asveioned in the afternoons debate. II is the
general opinion. however. that harmony VIII I've
restored and a vote reached early next week
Until a short time before the measure was
taken up IL was supposed that II would he
passed to-day without serious difficulty nut
when II was learned by some Senators that 'he
bill provided for a permanent increase OF 'he
standng Army objections were heard ana "
became evident that the measure wouid nave
20 run the gantlet Of sharp criticism. MT "o'-
man desired that no authorization OF pe'il"-
nent Increase IN the Army should be gwen anu
prepared the following amendment;
That each and every provision Of this act sinai,
continue in force until July !. lN'l ana on anu
after this date the officers and men hciuulHs
general officers and staff officers shan - re-
stored to rank and numbers as pfIoloeG .' ap
,ninfed nrior 10 July 1901 and except as pro
yi6ed for in the act to authorize two aHo, i"i'i
regiments Of artillery approved March = 1919
sneeches in support OF the bill were delivered
bv Mr. Hawley. Mr. Coctren, MI Garter ana
Mr. Smith. and against it by Mr. German and
Mr. Allen The speeches Of Messrs. German.
Carter and Cockren were particularly notable
utterances Mr. Cockrel. who has consistently
opposed large standing Army. gave the pend
ing measure his uneouvoca and unqualified
support. declaring that il was the best Army
measure ever submitted to Congress.
Mr. Hawley chairman Of the Military Affairs
Committee called up the compromise Army Reor-
ganization bill. which ne reported last evening and
the reading of the measure was begun.
4, the close Of the reading Mr.. German suggested
IN Mr. Havley the desirability Of permitting the
bill 10 go over until Monday. II was. he said
measure Of immense importance. and II would he
utterly impossible to complete II to-day. Il thlhk
he said addressing Senator Hawley. you VIII
ecoron,ize tine by allowing the bill 10 90 over
Mr. Allison suggested that if consideration Of the
bill was postponed until Monday. time for vote
early on Monday should be agreed upon at this
time.
Mr. Hawey replying to the suggestion OF MT.
German said he could not consent 70 put the Dill
ovor until Monday The necessities Of the case
usre well understood by Senator'S and nobody
questioned that an emergency was faced ny Ton
eress He pointed that by the ratlncanon OF 'he
treaty with Spain the Army Of the United states
"
bin here" he said (which has received the cale!u'
consideration OF the Military Committees. the war
DEPARTMENT and the President We have come mar
Ynoniously 10 conclusion. Nobody mas surren-
dtred nobody is Inundated. There mas peen some
,,aldinq-some concession on both sides To put
this matter over would take two days out or the
seven yet remaining Of this session My judgment
&c that the Senate is well prepared To vote OH
this bill to-day on Monday
NJ Carter. a member of the Military Affairs
Committee thought II time on Monday could ne
6xed for a vote on the bill II might be well to per-
init it 10 go over. He suggested that O'Clock on
Monday would he a good time. and asked unani-
NOUS consent to vote then but Mr. Allen objected.
MR.. COCKRELL FOR THE BILL
Mr. Cockren also q member Of the Military Al
fairs Committee discussed at length the features
Of the bill This measure. he said. has been eX-
amined carefully. ] indOrse II, because II Is rlsh'
lust proper and necessary 1t will settle Tor years
10 come the standing army controversy. Further
along IN his analysis Of the bill Mr. CockreH said
that the Increase in the Army provided for by this
bill was perfectly justitable and absolutely essen
tlal" In replying TO a question by Mr. Nes, ne
said that the Army after 1901 would he reduced
IN rs 400 and that number would be required to
take care of the coast Notifications. In conclusion
MIR. Cockrell said:
II we have bin here which will adjust the Army
controversy for years come we ought TO accept
s. II is not prodgal Of the peoples money. ! have
been several commssions ana e1inint'reS LOT
esfIy and conscientiousy that this is the best
since S 96sTd e.
ls75 | don't believe you will ever get better
rnent is that what will como hereafter win not be
so good for the country believe the bi is risnt
in the sight Of God and man. and am willing 10
take all responsibility for IT.
Mr. Hawey offered an amendment providing that
when a vacancy should in the office Of store
keeper IN the Quartermasters Department or ord
Department through death. retirement or
agreed To- He also offered another amendment pro-
viding that mo person who has passed the age OF
forty-fve years shall be appointed field officer
in said force (the volunteer army. officers Of the
Regular Army excepted"
Mr.. Pettigrew suggested an amendment 10 the
amendment excepting also officers and enlisted
men who served in the with Spain.
Pending action the amendment Mr.. Allen ad-
dressed the in opposition the general feat
ures OF the bill He surprised that M. Cock
rell could give his sanction such A measure. IF
there ever was a hdeous skeleton. q nonstrosity,
q deformty in legislation. this hin is one" he de-
cared ut is warped disjointod. dislocated. il
lacks science it lacks conference. 1t lacks good
sense
Commenting on Section Of the bin which gives
10 cooks the pay and allowances OF sergoantof In
fantry Mr. Allen said ironically mat II evidently
quired a higher order Of talent cook than to
fight III all that has been said about canned beef
and embalmed beef is true" said he The ordinary
cook ought to have higher pay than colonel. be-
II would require high order Of skill TO cook
and such food successfully am not con-
cerned in this delightful fight now going on between
the Secretary Of War and the general commanding
the Army. honor General Miles in that fight.
Every intelligent man in the country believes that
our Army fed that trash. and that large
percentage Of the sickness and mortality in the
Army was due to the food given TO the soldiers"
Passing from the Army troubles. Mr.. Allen spoke