The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-27
ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE
Carrying sIII.600. 364--Opponents of
ArrpY Increase Niexe the Occasion.

Washington, March 26.-The house en-
tered upon the consideration Of the army
appropriation bill, but the debate was
without exciting incident being confined
to the discussion of army matters. Chair
man Hull, in charge OF the BILL explained
its provisions; Mr.. Jett OF Illinois criti-
cised the policy of rushing officers
through the high grades Of the army just
prior to retirement Mr. Cox Of Tennes-
see and Mr.. Ridgeley OF Kansas oppos ell
generally a permanent increase OF the
army as qrejudicial TO the best interests
OF the country. and Mr.. Meyer of Louis
lana discussed the Philippine policy, op-
posing the retention of the islands.
The 146 pension bills favorably acted
upon by the house in committee OF the
whole last Friday were put through the
final stages at the opening of the session
today, and the army appropriation bill
was then taken up. All efforts to reach
an agreement as TO the length OF time
general debate on the bill should run
failed. Mr.. Hull Qowa). chairman OF the
committee on military affairs. in charge
Of the measure. made general statement
regarding its contents. The bill carries
Sill, 600 364. The estimates were S127 IL IS3
The last appropriation bill carried about
$50, O0,000. and there was a deficiency or
about 100000 Mr.. Hull said he did not
think there would be any considerable
deficiency in any of the items in the pres
ent bill.
Mr. Hull was followed by Mr.. Jett Of
Illinois. a member of tho committee. who
analysed the bill and expressed the opin-
ion that the appropriations II carried were
not sufficient and there must inevitably
be a deficit Mr. lett criticised the sys-
TEN OF promoting officers for immediate
retirement, especially the higher officers.
who were rushed. ne said. through the
final grades and retired at the highest
rank possible. In some cases an officer
was promoted 70 the grade OF brigadier
general one day and retired the next
Mr.. Jet agreed that there might be some
exceptional cases, saying what he com
planned OF was the wholesale practice Of
crowding men through the higher ranks
simply for the purpose Of giving them
more retired pay.
Mr.. Mcclellan On. " discussed the ne
cessity for the reorganization OF the
army He believed he said in the main
tenance Of a standing army IN time II
peace large enough and no larger to be
expanded in time OF war TO make FIRST
line Of defense strong enough 10 hold on
a foreign enemy until the volunteers can
be organized 70 constitute the second line
Mr.. RidgeIey (KanD denounced the ten
dency toward militsrlsm. charging that Il
was a menace 10 the peace and welfare
OF the public. He charged that the de-
mand for large standing army cane
from the officers who would be benefited
and from organized capital. which desired
a large army to protect their property il
tine Of discomfort
What IS there in this bill TIA; increases
the army " asked Xr Hun
Within three years" replied Mr. Ridge
icy. "the standing army has been in-
creased ihreefold. and is cost TO the ps9-
PIE fourfoId-"
Mr. Cox CTenn) introduced the Philip
pine question into The debate. critlcising
the policy II the administration - uHlSg
the army 70 put down the inFurrect1on
there ard announcing trat - be could
has his way not oas dollar should bs vot-
Cd 70 subluzate the Filipino The sOl-
disrs serving n the Philippines Re &C.
quilted q al biarne. They wee coiug
their duty and deserved wei q their