Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-10
ARMY BILL IN THE SENATE
Question Of Moving Troops and Supplies ia
Under Consideration.
TILT BETWEEN sURKlTT AND WARREN
Nebraska Senator Asks Question
Relative 60 Number of Riaes ON
Hand and is Given Evasive
Answer.


preparation bill and memorial exercises for
wthe late Representative Marsh OF Illinois
occupied practically the entire day in the
senate today. Discussion Of the army APP
preparation bill was unusually interesting.
for the reason that II branched on onto
American occupation Of Cuba, the plans for
the equipment OF state militia with regula-
tlon arms and proposed authorization to
the War department to accept reduced fare
or free transportation for troops and sup
plies The latter was an echo OF the de-
bate on the railroad bill at the last session
OF congress. number OF unimportant
bills were passed without debate. Senators
Cuilom and Hopkins delivered eulogies on
the life and works of Mr.. Marsh.
Army Bin IL Taken Up.
The army appropriation bill was taken up
in the senate today. An amendment author
izing the secretary OF the interior to ex-
change public lands for private lands, when
private lands are needed for enlarged mill
itsry organizations went out on point Of
order Senator Carter contended that It
gave too much leeway for the swapping Of
lands
The adoption Of an amendment authoriz-
ing the secretary Of war to supply militia
OF the various states with arms and
equipment used by the regular army Gre
kett asked for information as 20 the number
Of rifles the government had in reserve.
IT will say" replied Mr.. Warren, that
when the Spanish-America war broke out
we had not powder enough to load once the
guns we had and we had not guns enough
to arm 1900 reserves until we appropri-
ated money which went abroad and
bought the guns"
81 submit that is not a reply TO my ques-
ton. The senator is not stating anything
about the gums we have in reserve.
and II the same condition exists now the
secretary of war has not done his duty"
Does the senator think It would be a
good thing for me to stand here and tell
to the country and to foreign nations Just
how much powder and ball we have on
hRnd7" said Mr.. Warren.
81 am sorry the senator shows irrita-
tion," said Mr. Burhett, and again he said
that his question. had not been answered.
Mr.. Warren said that to the best OF his
knowledge the government had no reserve
rifles except those in the hands OF the
state militia, and the incident closed
Transportation Amendment.
Senator Clapp, discussing the transporta-
tion amendment, suggested 1t should be 90
o framed as to give the government the bene-
ut OF a reduction of rates. Mr. McCumber
announced his opposition to any conces.
sions to the government and said he should
antagonist the amendment in any form
Mr.. 6pooner contended that a concession
to the government would not be a dlscrim.
iation because all the people are inter.
ested In the government and all would bs
benefited by any economy that might bs
practiced by the administration. This posi-
tion was characterized by Mr.. McCutnber az
sspaternaliarn''
Senator Warren made a plea, for tn.
fright OF army offcers to accept passes
calling attention TO General Funston'l
declaration that they are now getting less
than hod carriers In San Francisco. Thi.
ELECTED from Mr.. McCumber a sarcastic
reply that his heart also bled for tn,
poor military men who drive TO the rail
road stations In their carriages" and h,
contrasted their condition with that of tn,
ordinary man. to their great advantage
Mr.. Scott suggested the hardship oc
casloned when the officer was ordered from
one army post to another. in which cas-
Z he had to bear the cost OF transportation
D for his family and household goods.
Mr.. McCumber replied that this was
hardship placed upon government employee
of all kinds. He also criticised the grea
differences between the salaries OF tn
higher and lower grades The compensa
. ton OF the latter he regarded as made
Quate. It was the greatest privilege tina
could come 10 young man in this coun
~ 20 be educated by the government
assured OF a commission In the army an
then retired on pay. What he wanted {
emphasize was that the blood of sue
young men did not turn from red to blu
when they became army officers
Mr.. Warren pictured the hardship OF IN