Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-11-29
THE NEW ARMY BILL
The House Committee Called to
Work Upon the Outlines.
BILL TO AMEND war REVENUE Law
The Reductions to BE Made VIII BE In
Stamp Taxes - Trained Artilierists
Wanted to Nan the Guns Of Our
Coast Qualifications.

Washington, Nov. 24.-Chairman
Hull, of the house committee on mill
tary affairs, yesterday called meet
ing of the committee for next Tues
day. He hopes that quorum will be
present and that the committee can go
to work Immediately upon the out
lines of anew army bill. at will be
in the direction of economy to pass
the army bill without delay said
Mr. Hull yesterday. "The army now
in the Philippines will have to be
brought home in the summer, that is,
those Of the men who do not care to
re-enlist. The transports which go
out for them should depart laden
with the troops who are to replace
them, else the ships will make one
voyage empty"
Mr. Hull was in conference yester-
dav with the president and with Off
"als Of the war department upon the
character of Legislation desired by the
administration. He said the president
will communicate to congress fully
his recommendations about the army
and he did not assume to speak the
presidents mind in advance. He
thought, however, that the admins
tration would not be content with
any malieshift legislation, no PROPOSE
ton to continue the present law for
two years more. His impression was
that tile president wanted authority
to raise a regular army sufficient for
the needs of the country, 100000 men,
II necessary, the number to be reduced
when there was no longer any need
for them.
Mr.. Hull said the Taft commission
had reported that 5000 Filipinos
could be enlisted Immediately in the
army for the Philippines and that
they would make good soldiers under
American officers. There was no fear
of repetition of Great Brltain's ex-.
penence with the Sepoys, for the
Filipinos, Mr.. Hull said, have no ma
tional feeling like the natives of In
dia, Moreover, added Mr., Hull the
experiment of enlist.pg native troops
has proven successful and there are
no more loyal or Efficient soldiers than
the natives enlisted in the British
army in India.
I,ill =" mend Wa Revcnur Law.
Washington, Nov, Chairman
Payne and Representatives Dakell
and Hopkins, acting as n suo-commit-
tee, spent portion of the day draft
ing the bill to amend the war revenue
law. The general provisions of the
bill have been agreed upon, The re-
ductions 10 be made will be in stamp
taxes, as heretofore indicated. A
member of the committee said ycster-
day that although there was some
discussion concerning reductions up
on beer and also on cigars cigarettes
and tobaccos. there did not seem to
be any inclination to reduce the pres
emf tax on these articles as long as
there remained stamp taxes, which,
he said, were obnoxious to every one
using them. Although it is generally
understood that there is complete
understanding among the members of
the committee as to what changes
shall be made, it is understood that no
ironclad agreement has been reached
and any part of the bill can be taken
up and changed if found desirable.
But the members of the committee
do not expect many changes. for it is
said the full republican membership
will not be likely to meet again until
next Friday. one day before the full
committee is to be calledytogether.
The committee expect to present the
bill to the house on the first or sec
ond day of the session,
Trained Artillerists Wanted.
Washington, Nov. 24-The annual
report of the board of ordnance and
Notifications just made public sums
up concisely large amount OF ey-
perimental work accomplished by the
board during the past year A gen
eral statement of what is needed in
the future is contained in the follow
ing paragraph: "The work Of eouin-
Ing our coast 1ortlncations Is pro-
crossing rapidly and large portion
of the new armament is already in
stalled, There is imperative need for
an adequate force of trained artlller-
lists to care for and man the guns now
mounted The board therefore deems
il within its province to invite the at
tention of congress to the necessity
for reorganization and material in
crease Of the artillery arm of the serv-
ice. In this connection, also, the
board recommends that steps be taken
at an early date to provide the coast
artillery personnel with suitable
ranges and other facilities for carry
ing out each year system of practi'
cal drill and target practice with
heavy guns under conditions approx
mating those of actual service"