Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-06
ARMY BILL RESUMED
Reorganization Being Discussed by
the House.
SENATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr.. Morgan Speaks for the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty.
HE URGES ITS RATIFICATION

When the House of Representatives met
today an arrangement was agreed to by
which the consideration of the Grout oleo-
margarine bill. which was to have come up
today under special order made at the
last session, was postponed until tomorrow,
and the House proceeded with the consd-
Grafton of the army reorganization bill.
The Hepburn amendment, to provide that
vacancies in the quartermaster's depart
ment could be filled from civil life or from
volunteer officers commissioned since April
10, 1885, which was pending when the House
adjourned yesterday, was voted down with
out division.
Mr.. Hay (Va.) offered an amendment,
which was adopted. authorizing the Presi-
dent to appoint fifty volunteer surgeons,
with the rank Of major. and $50 assistant
surgeons. with the rank of captain, for
terms OF two years, unless previously dis
charged.
Mr. Otey (Va) offered an amendment to
empower the surgeon general of the army
to employ not to exceed thirty dental sur
geons. three of whom should be chief dem
tai surgeons.
Mr. Otey made a humorous speech in sup
port Of the amendment, appealing to every
member to vote in the interest of 3,20a0GO
teeth. irrespective of party or the result
OF the late eec:ion, said he. vote to rid
the old soldier Of the toothache' The
amendment was adopted.
Proposed Veterinary Corps
Mr. Bingham Pa.) offered an amendment
to provide for corps Of veterinary sur
geons, one chief veterinarian. with the rank
Of colonel; assistan: chief with the
rank Of major: four veterinarians with the
rank Of first leutenants: ten assistants
with the rank of second lteutenants: twenty
assistant, with the rank of second heu!en-
ants of cavalry Mr. RipphDp ofuoA
that the proposed amendment was identical
with the provisions in the Senate bill. The
establishment Of veterinary corps, he
said. had the approval OF Lieut.. Gen Miles
Gems. Brooke, Merritt, Wilson and other
high army officers. AS the army would be
reorsan.zed under this bill there would be-
upward OF $4,000 animals TO be cared for
and the economy Of such corps was be-
yond cavl.
Mr.. Hull opposed the proposed amend
ment on the ground that the acceptance OF
a section of the Senate bill would handicap
the House in conference. Besides, he fav.
ored assinlated rank for the veterinary
surgeons.
Mr Hay Wa.), 4 minority member of the
committee, also opposed the amendment.
Mr.. Mondell (Wyo) opposed the propasi-
ton 20 commission horse doctors" as off,
GERS Of the United States army
Mr.. Butler Pa) and Mr. Bingham (Pa.l
both resented the fling at horse Doctors
defending them as men of education and
ability, whose services were of incalculab:s
value to any army.
After some further discussion the amend
ment was adopted 50 to ~.
Mr.. Dick Ohio offered an amendment 10
increase tne pay corps Of the army from
three to four paymaSters, with the rank OF
colonel; four to five, with the rank of lieu
tenant colonel: from nine to twenty, with
the rank of MIA jor, and reducing those with
the rank of captain from twenty-seVen to
twenty-five. Mr.. Dick read letter from
Paymaster General Bates urging the abso-
lutte necessity Of increase of the pay
corps.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Mcclellan IN. " gave notice that at
the proper time he should offer a subsIi-
tute for the whole bin to continue in force
the present law for a provisional army
An amendmen. was adopted to increase
the signal corps by one lieutenant colonel J
two majors. ten captains and ten first lieu
tenants, and the proviso authorizing the
President to appoint ten volunteer signal
officers with the rank of first lieutenant
and ten with the rank of second lieutenant
during the continuation of the Philippine
war was stricken out
Mr.. Hull offered an amentment, which
was agreed to, to make volunteer officers
eligible to the grades of first and second
lieutenants without regard to age.
Mr.. Hay Va.) appealed to his democratic
associates to vote against a permanent In
crease in the standing army and support
the substitute for an extension Of the PRES
ent law.