Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-18
Views Have Been Altered.


change of attitude of the committee toward
the measure is the fact that it's discussion
has, it is fully believed, already changed
the views of several Of the senators. So
far is this the case that there Is today no
question that with Senator Hawley away
from the committee and Senator Alger in
Senator Burrows place the bill can be re-
ported in it's essential features to the Sem
ate at any lime vote Is taken by the
committee. The committee at present con-
sists of Senators Hawley, chairman; Proc
tor Warren, Alger Quarles, Scott. For
aker,' Bate, Cockrell, Pettus and Harris.
Senator Pettus will not vote for the bill,
and it is a question as to the attitude OF
Senators Cockrell Bate, Quarles and Proc
tor Senators Alger, Warren, Scott and
Foraker are strongly in favor of the meas
ure. Senator Harris has not recently at
tended meetings of the committee. and it
is supposed that he will not vote While
in a general way it is said that Senators
Proctor, Quarles, Bate and Cockrell are in
doubt, there is practical certainty that
enough of them will vote for the passage
of the bill to make it sure that it can DE
reported favorably at any time.
Secretary Root Explains Details.
Secretary Root, when before the commit
tee today for two hours, was questioned
concerning various features of the bill At
the last session of Congress he was before
the committee and then made his general
argument in favor of the measure. His
testimony then was printed and has been
read by all the members of the committee,
and today he was questioned concerning the
details of the measure The only matter
of uncertainty concerning the bill is as to
it's details. Senators who will vote for it
will desire to have it changed here and
there, but it is not believed that any change
will be insisted upon that will be opposed
by Secretary Root.
What reception the bill will have in the
Senate is now problematical, but it is be-
lieved that it can be passed if it comes to
vote The only way to beat it would be
for friends of General Miles to let it be
known that their opposition was such they
would debate it to such an extent that the
shortness of the session would prevent ac-
ton.
A proposition is before the committee,
which it is believed will be adopted in
Miles, providing that the law shall not go
into effect until after the retirement of
General Miles next August. If this IS
adopted it is believed that it will practi-
cally satisfy the friends of General Miles
and remove all opposition based on personal
friendship for the ommanding general.
House Committee Acts Favorably..
The House military affairs committee to-
day authorized favorable report on the
bill drafted by the War Department Great
ing a general staff corps in the army but
recommended two important amendments,
one of which eliminates the provision In the
bill for the discontinuance of the inspector
generals department, thus leaving ii
bureau Of the War Department. The other
amendment prevents the giving a brigadier
general who might be detailed to the staff
the rank and pay of lieutenant general or
major general as contemplated in the bill.