The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-22

AS the number of members of Congress
in Washington increases it becomes more
apparent that large volume of legisla-
| ton is contemplated during the coming
session, and that the Republican pro-
| gramme is to put through the Army Re-
organization bill, the Ship Subsidy bill,
| the Nicaragua Canal bill. and to press the
| ratification of the ay-Pauncefote treaty.
There viii be meeting of the Military
Committee of the House early next week
and probably also meeting of the Mill
tary Committee OF the Senate in advance
of the Teassembl.ng of Congress to mod
an Army bill which will be acceptable to
the greatest number Of Senators and Rep
| resentatiyes
AS stated in TIE Evening Times Of yes
| terday, General Miles plan Of reorganiza-
ton and increase in the strength of the
military establishment on the basis of
| one soldier for each one thousand inhabi-
taDts viii probably be rejected by both
military committees of Congress on the
ground that under this arrangement the
Army would lack elasticity
IN the matter Of the size the Army
| should be, members of Congress differ.
Some OF the important men in Congress
| favor a standing army OF rs, goo; some an
army the maximum strength OF which
shall be 125, 600, and which at the will Of
the President may be contracted to a
minimum fixed by law. and quite a num-
Der o. Republican congressman seen by
reporter for The Times have expressed
the opinion that 70. 600 regulars will be
enough, while careful consideration should
be given TO the development of the Ma
tional Guard.
Representative Hull. Chairman of the
Committee on Military Affairs, who ar
rived IN Washington last night, and was
at I"e Capitol today, said that he would
VI &c the passage of an Army Reorgani-
za,ion bill which would give the Presi-
dent all the troops he needed 1t is Mr..
Hulis opinion that the regular establish
msnt should have a maximum strength
OF $4,000 and a minimum strength OF
d. coo. Between these limits the Army
could be contracted or expanded by the
President as in his judgment the needs
Of the nation warranted.
Representative Brownlow. a member OF
the Committee on Military Affairs. said
today that be viii support the PROPOSE
ton to increase and to maintain the
Army al such standard as demanded by
conditions He thinks an Army with
maximum strength of 100. eco men would
be about right
Representative Foss. of the Committee
on Naval Affairs. said today that he was
OF the opinion that the Navy will &c
given increased appropriation this
year. ne thinks that the naval estimates
so far as made are not too high. and he
said Congress will be disposed to deal
literally with this branch of the national
defence.
Representative Berry said today that
he. expects to see increased approprfa-
tons made. The Republicans are in
complete control, and It Is not expected
that they VIII pursue the Democratic
policy Of economy.
Representative Steele OF Indiana. in
speaking Win reporter for The Times
last night said that in his opinion an
Army Of 10000 ought to be enough. but
ne would vote for the size Of an Army
which the committees of Congress and
the President thought right
Representative Tawney. CT VI n1eSota
who Is in attendance upon the meetings
OF the ways and Means Committee. said
today that the OlsomargaTine bill which
IS the special order IN the House on De
cember o. would be taken up punctris,iiz,
on taat day; that there would probably
De running fight for several hours and
that then the bill would be passed.
Representative Needham of California
said today that he and his constituents
are deeply interested in the passage at
the coming session CT a river and ha-
the Harbor of San Diego. and other prof.
eets Of a similar character on the Pacffc
Coast. Mr. Nesdham says that the peo-
pie Of the Pacific Coast are still opposed
to the ratification Of the reciprocity
agreement with France and Great Britain
which would place California wines in
competition with those Of France. and
California fruits in competition with
those OF Jamaica and others Of the Brit
ISL West Indies.
Representative Hepburn said today that
he entertains no doubt that the Senate
will act afarmativeIy on the bill for the
construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Ii
is his opinion that the success of that bill
does not depend upon the ratification CT
the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty.
Senator Elkin5 says the Nicaragua bill
viii ae passed. The senior Senator from
West Virginia, It is said. would not make
this statement unless he were conversaut
with the situation. He knows the tenn
per OF the Senate on this question and
knows the individual opinions of these
men in that body who are influential in
molding legislation.
Senator Martin gave it as his belief to-
day that the Memorial Bridge will be pro
vided for at the coming session