The Washington times., 1910-01-14
INCREASE IN ARMY
GROWING IN FAVOR
Outlook for Legislation This
Session Is Much
Brighter.

The outlook for some increase Of the
army this session Of Congress is con-
siderably brighter than it was before
the holidays
Then, all the talk was that the army
need look for no increase in any direc-
ton this winter. Now. although the
situation IS still best with a good many
difficulties. distinct progress IS being
made and army officers whose hearts
are set on the expansion OF the mill
tsry are feeling more encouraged
They hope for some legislation this
session and think at any rate that
part OF the lswmaking they want wiz
be so well advanced this session that
it win get through in the life Of this
Congress
One Of the matters aIerady taken up
BY the House Committee on Military
Affairs Is an increase OF the Signal
Corps The House committee is seem
ingly q unit in favor of the increase
and Is likely TO make favorable re-
port It Is proposed to add 70 the
Signal Corps an entire regiment fully.
differed This would about double the
present Signal Corps strength. II would
increase the cost OF the army about
$500. 600
Has Strong Case
The Signal Corps has a good case
for an increase All army men under
stand that in case OF a war OF any
size the Signal Corps under modern
conditions would be Of the most ex-
IRENE Importance on the efficiency
OF the Signal Corps depends the teIe-
graph and telephone service of the
army, fire control. the successful cor
relation Of the movements of large bod
les OF troops IN battle or In campaigns
the use Of alrShips ana balloons. and
many other phases OF military opera
tfons
But the size OF the Signal Corps Of
the American army Is so small that in
time of war the army would have TO
rely almost wholly on unframed signal
men This might lose a campaign
and. while another regiment will not
obvtate that difficulty by any means
entirely, II viii add materially 10 the
number OF trained men available for
use IN the field or as Ieaven in the
mass Of recruits who would enlist II a
Dig war threatened
More Officers.
The Senate Military Affairs Co-mit-
tee before long viii take I'd the bin for
increasing the number OF army Off
GERS. It Is proposed 20 add So officers
10 the present force. The committee
viii probably report the bin and the
senate VIII pass H. Al least The sen
ate passed II at the last regular session,
but it did not get past the House. The
pressure for increasing the number OF
army officers IS growing
Large NUM- ers OF active officers are
detached on service with the general
STAFF, taking special instruction. on duty
with schools. on duty with state troops
and the ike The result IS that many
companies have no officer with them
but a second Lieutenant Yet the
schools which give military instruction
VIII not Willings~ accept retired Off
GERS Ihev want young men. thoroughly
In touch with ali the teachings OF mod
ern war, strictly I'D TO date.
Well Supported
The influence Of the schools and col
leges that give military instruction Is in
favor Of the proposed legislation for
more officers The supporters Of this
bill are hopeful that II they fail to get
the bin through both houses this ses-
sion they viii manage TO get the law
enacted at the short session next win
ter This legislation would add s. 900 GOD
and more 10 the cost Of the army.
Nothing is heard about the CAPITOL Of
the proposition TO add more infantry
70 the army This project. regardless Of
me fact the army officers are able 70
put I'D what they consider strong ar
guments for il. VIII have 10 wait until
Uncle sam IS not in quite such hard
stress 70 make both ends meet and
keen himself from going into the hands
OF a receiver