The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-24
CROZIER NOMINATION
TO Be TAKEN Up TODAY
Probable That Confirmation
Will Be Denied.
OPPOSITION IN COMMITTEE
Result Will Indicate Senate's DISPOSE
ton Toward War Department-Fate
of Secretary Roots Organization Bill
May Be Determined by Vote.

The Senate will spend today in execu-
tive session on the nomination of Cap
tain Crozier to be chief OF ordnance OF
the War Department
Immediately after the morning business
the doors will be closed. and II. as is
is strong. they may not be opened until
adjournment.
The committee is still opposed to Cap
tain Crozier. not having changed its
mind since its adverse report three
weeks ago.
The action of the War Department in
removing him from the Board of Ordnance
was stated to be for the purpose of in
fiuencing the committee in his favor. as
one OF the charges against him was that
as an inventor he would not be capable Of
an unbiased judgment on ordnance ap-
planes.
Chief Objection Not Removed.
The statement was made by a member
of the committee yesterday. however. that
the chief objection against the nomination
This objection is that the officer has
only the grade of captain and that under
the act Of 1901 ito increase the efficiency
Of the army, which is the present law on
the subject. he is Ineligible for the posi-
ton.
There has been more confidence among
the friends Of Captain Crozier in the
Senate this week than at any time before,
despite the continued hostility of the
committee. but the members Of the COM
mittee state that he has little II any
chance Of confirmation.
May Fofeshadow Other Action.
1t is thought probable that the attitude
of the Senate toward the Root and the
Miles army reorganization bills may be
foreshadoweh today by the result of the
consideration Of the Crozier nomination.
II Crozier is confirmed 1t would be a
straw in the wind indicating the sentiment
of the Senate on the reorganization bill.
undoubtedly.
There has been nc consideration Of the
Root bill in the Senate Military Commit
tee since the day about two weeks ago
when General Schofield replied to General
Miles criticism Of the measure and advo-
Gated it, as important and essential 10
the discipline. of the army and its proper
administration. 7e.-.----
Up to the time that General Schoneld
gave HIS testimony the committee was
understood to be almost unanimously OPP
posed to the Root. measure, but General
Schofield's outspoken condemnation of the
present methods of army management is
said to have had marked effect on some
members of the committee.
The opponents OF the bill therefore
caused action to be postponed. and new
turn has now been given TO the situation
by the introduction of the bill to enlarge
and define the duties Of the Lieutenant
General.
Senator Hawley, chairman of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs. is the sponsor
for the measure. which was introduced
by request" II is said that 1t was pre-
pared in General Miles Office and intro
duced at his suggestion. General Hawley
is counted as one of the radical Miles
men in the committee.
1t is impossible yet to say what will be
done with the measure. No meeting of
the committee has been called to consid-
er 1t. and probably none will be until Sec
rotary Root returns from Cuba, about
May /. He will then urge action upon his
hill