The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-21

of EIas5ieitx-SOD,e BiH to Pass
The Committees on Military Affairs Of the
Senate and House of Representatives wiz.
it is reported at the Capitol, meet in ad-
vance of the reassembling Of Congress that,
when the session begins. they may be the
further advanced in the cons Iteration of
Army reorganization plans. Senator Haw-
ley Chairman Of the Senate Committee on
Mi itary Affairs, is in the city and has al
ready given expression to views as to what
action that committee should take, and
what action it prohebly will take. Repre-
sentative Hull. Chairman of the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs Will. it is be-
leyed, arrive IN Washington today.
No member of Congress who thus far has
returned TO Washington to be III attendance
upon the approaching session has indicated
that there is any doubt about the passage
of an Army Reorganization bin
which viii permanently increase
the strength of the American
Army to approximately 100000
men. Affirmative action on q bill Of this
character, it is held by Republicans and
tacitIy conceded by Democrats. is impeF-
alive.
The increase III the military establish
ment. with the exception OF a small in
crease in the artillery branch Of the sery-
ice, as provided for in the acts Of Congress
approved March 2. 1899. and May 20, 1900,
IS temporary. II affirmative action shall
not be taken ct the coming session. the
Army the present strength Of which Is ap-
proximately $500 regulars and $4,000 vol
unteers, Will on July !, 1891, shrink to
about -. 600 men
The suggestion put forward by Lieu
tenant General Miles. that the strength
Of the Army shall be increased TO and
maintained At the ratio CT one soldier for
each one thousand Inhabitants OF the
country, appears not to De we'll received
by those members of the Committees Of
Military Affairs vita whom a reporter Tor
The Times has talked
The principal objection to this propo-
sition is that The plan would deprive the
Army Of the elasticity which IS Ee&
greatly desired; that is, it would ebstrae-
Ine prompt expansion and contraction Of
the army as contingencies should arise
and disappear
The Republican members OF The con-
mittees favor plan which shall tx
maximum strength for the Army of per
haps 100, coo CT 125,CG0 men, and which
shall invest the President with the power
Of diminishing this force al his discre-
tion TO a uinIInuIa to be fixed by law
when, in his opinion, there is necessity
for Il
One of the thoughts which finds favor
among Congressman is that contained II
sections s, 7, and of Senate bill 4S03
which was passed by the Senate en- May
I, 1900, introduced il the House on May
3. and which IS now On The calendar Of
the House Committee On II 1iJary An-irs.
These sections refer to the reorganization
Of the artillery They follow
Sec. 8. That he TegimentaI organization
of the artillery arm OF the United States
Army IS herebT discontinued. and that arm
is constituted ard designated as the ArtiI-
1eTy Corps Il shall be organized rs here
matter specified and shall beic1g 10 the
line Of tie Army
Sec. G. Tat the Artillery Corps shall
comprise t|o b-snchss-the coast artillery
and the field artillery. The coast artillery
IS defined as that porton charged with the
care ard use CT tRe fixed and movable els-
meHts CT land and coast Qualifications in
Guiding the submarine mirs and torpedo
offences; and TIE field artillery IS that
portion accompanying an army IN the field
and including field and light artillery prop
eT, horse artillery. siege artillery, noun
tain artillery, and also mschiEe-gun bat
teries: Provided That this shall net be
construed 10 prevent the use Of machine
= or other field guns by any other arm OF the
service under the direction OF the Secretary
Of War
SEC. Z. That all officers Of artillery. shall
be placed OF one lise in respect to promo
Jion, according 10 seniority in their several
grades and shall be assigned TO coast or to
field artillery according 10 their special
aptitude for the respective services by the
General Commanding the Army. with the
approval Of the Secretary Of War.
Sec. S. That the Artillery Corps shall
consist OF chief OF artillery, who shall
be selected by the President from the
Of
serving as a chief Of artillery, shall have
the rank, pay, and allowances of briga-
der general Of the Army, but shall not be
chief Of bureau or department.; Is colo
nels, one OF whom shall be the chief Of
artillery, u lieutenant coIoneIs, Sc ma
joTs, 100 captains, $50 first Iieutenants. 16O
second Ieutenants, and the captains and
lieutenants provided for in this section
not required for duty with batteries or
companies, shall be available for duty as
stan officers Of the various artillery gar
Tisons and such other details as may be
authorized by law and regulations. 81 ser
Seant majors with the rank, pay, and al
IoEances Of regimental sergeant majors of
infantry; q sergeant majors with the
rank, pay, and allowances Of battalion ser
geant majors OF infantry; one electrician
sergeant to each coast artillery post haY-
ing electrical appliances; Is batteries Of
field artillery; 12s batteries of coast ar
tiliery, and ten bands, organized as now
authorized by law for artillery regiments:
Provided. That the aggregate number of
enlisted men for the artillery, as provid-
cd under this act, shall not exceed Il, 44S
exclusive of electrician sergeants, and the
increase herein provided shall be in addi-
ton to the enlisted strength now author
lied in the Regular Army in the artillery
only, and shall not increase or decrease
the cavalry or infantry"