The San Francisco call., 1907-02-10
COUNTRY IS SHORT
Of RIFLES
Army Appropriation Bill
Debate Brings Out Several
Matters of Information
SALARIES OF OFFICERS


WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The army
appropriation bill was taken up in the
Senate today. An amendment authoriz-
ing the Secretary of the Interior TO ex-
change public lands for private lands,
when private lands were needed for en-
larged military organizations, went out
on a point of order. Senator Carter
contended that il gave too much leeWay
for the swapping Of lands.
The adopting Of an amendment au-
thorizing the Secretary OF War to sup
ply militia for the various States with
arms and equipment used by the reg
uiar army created considerable dis
cussion. Burkett asked for informa-
tion as to the number of rifles the
Government had In reserve.
Il will say" replied Warren, that
when the Spanish American war broke
out we had not. powder enough to load
once the guns we had, and we had not
guns enough to arm 10000 reserves,
when we appropriated money and went
abroad and bought the guns.
Il submit that is not "a reply to my
question" said Burkett. THE Senator
is not stating anything about the guns
we now have in reserve, and II the
same condition exists now, the Secre
tary Of War has not done his duty" re-
piled Burkett-
NO RESERVE RIFLES
Does the Senator think it would be
a good thing for me to stand here and
tell TO the country and to foreign ma
tions just how much powder and ball
we have on hand?" asked Warren.
Il am sorry the Senator, shows irri-
tation" said Burkett.
Warren said that to the best of his
knowledge the Government had no re-
serve rifles. except those in the hands
OF the State militia, and the incident
closed.
Senator Clapp. discussing the trans
portation amendment, suggested 1t
should be so framed as to give the
Government the benefit of reduction OF
rates.
ARMY OFFICERS SALARIES
Senator Warren made a plea for the
right Of army officers to accept passes,
calling attention to General Funston g
/ declaration that they were getting less
than hodcarriers in San Francisco.
This brought from McCumber sar-
castle reply that his heart also bled
/ for the poor militiamen who drove to
/ the railroad stations in their car
tion with that of the ordinary man. TO
! their great advantage.
Scott suggested the hardship occa-
stoned when the officer was ordered
from one army post to another, in
which case he had to bear the expense
! of transportation for his family and
/ household.
hardship placed upon Government en-
ployes of all kinds. He also criticised
the great difference between the sala-
ries OF the officers of the higher and
! lower grades. The compensation of the
latter he regarded as inadequate. II
was the greatest privilege that could
come TO a young man in this country
he said, to be educated by the Govern
ment, assured OF commission In the
army and then of retired pay.
Warren pictured the hardship of the
enlisted man in the Philippines when
compelled to pay his own transporta-
ton to reach home.
GAVE MILLIONS TO ROADS
The hardships of the army officer
were pointed out by Senator Spooner.
Referring to the rate bill Spooner re-
marked:
Il think II we could have proceeded
to the enactment of the rate legislation
! in the usual Senatorial way, with less
friction and more of conference and
discussion, such as is usual when the
/ Senate acts within itself, perhaps some
! provisions of the rate bill which are
| today found Objectionable, and the 9TH
! ers, objections to which nave not yet
! been discovered, would not be found ex-
listing in it. But if there is anything ir
the rate bill SO far as army officers are
concerned which is not just it ought tc
be eliminated, and this is a good place
TO eliminate IT."
Spooner contended that the PROPOSE
tion in the bill was not gratuity, be-
cause the Government had given these
roads hundreds OF millions of dollars ir
land grants. Aldrfch replied that the
proposition would reduce the roads
which had no land grants to the leve
of those which had received such
! grants.
1T was not compulsory" replied