Omaha daily bee., 1910-11-15

The results Of Tuesdays election on con-
gress present an altered aspect Of the stu
alton at the capitol so far as it relates to
service legislation. especially Of the person
mel character. There is an optimistic view
that the coming session of republican DOM
nation, to be followed by two sessions
OF a democratic house in 1911-12, may have
helpful, instead Of detrimental, influences
upon service legislation. II may easily &C.
cur that the republican majority in the
coming session will be DESTROYS Of carrying
out certain legislative plans OF the admins
tration in which cause they are apt to be
encouraged and aided by many Of the
democrats who are wiling to have the re-
sponsibilty of enactment shifted to the re-
firing republican majority ana obtain some
things they want themselves, however,
much they may subsequently rail at the
excess and extravagance of that legislation.
Looking at the matter in this way-and 1t
is phase Of the situation which has been
discussed by some Of the leaders in con-
gress-there is fair chance that something
will be realized for the army and navy
during the coming session. In fact, the
chances are better than they have been. all
on ACCOUNT Oh dlNnohHh AunnNIAAa uuD Nut
the coming democratic house. The legis-
lation must be of the simple order how
ever, and with no complexities which are
likely to arouse debate or other tme-con-
suming deterrents. OF course, the method
Of doing business in the house will have to
be changed, but this can easily be accom-
plished If It is decided to do anything out
OF the routine during the coming session.
When the quartermaster general OF the
army returns to Washington, which viii be
in the course of the next three weeks, he
will take up the question of increase Of
his corps along the lines recommended in
his annual report, the text Of which was
recently given out at the War department
General Aleshire will find that the proposi-
ton to increase the quartermasters de-
partment does not meet with the approval
of the secretary Of war and the general
staff This Is for the reason that the
administration is committed to the So
called extra officers bill' as the most
| important Of all army legislation which Is
before congress. The influence OF the War
| department, therefore, will be concern
trated on that measure, whether or not Il
shall appear that the chances are alto
gether against it's enactment at the COM
| ing session The changes which are con-
templated in the bill and which have been
fully described in these columns, may
strengthen Il in some particular, II is
| certain for instance, that the increase in
the number OF officers available for duty
with the militia 10 bound to enlist some
/ support in that quarter. General Aleshire
may perhaps proceed on his own respOn-
sibility and seek. unless It should meet
with departmental disapproval ndOpend-
| ent congressional action in behalf of his
corps. An alternative plan IL to have the
| quartermaster increase Incorporated In the
extra officers bill. II r. recognized that
the quarteTmasters have many friends IN
congress and the legislation desired by
them were II added to the extra officers
/ bill, it represented as contributing 70 the
chances Of the enactment Of the general
measure, On the other hand there are
| those who believe 1t matters very little
what is added to, or taken from, the Iegis-
lation. since the chances are altogether
| against congressional action on either
army OF navy personnel legislation beyond
what may be included in the regular APP
preparation bill.