The Washington herald., 1912-06-14
TAFT MAY VETO
TWO BIG BILLS
Sections Hostile to Commerce Court
and Wood JsOpsrdize
Measures.
LOWER HOUSE STANDS PAT

The army appropriation bill WIN be
the first OF the large supply measures
containing obnoxious general legislation.
which viii go 20 President Taft for his
action. The House yesterday by vote
of III TO 81, adopted the conference re-
port on the military bill, after q bitter
debate.
The most objectionable provision in tbs
bill is that requiring the Chief, OF stan
of the army to have had a service OF at
least ten years with the line OF the army.
This provision viii have the effect OF
making Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, the
present Chief of Stan. ineligible for re-
appointment upon the expiration Of his
term OF once, on March 5, 1913.
The report was adopted by party vote
although twelve Democrats Joined the
majority Of the Republicans in voting
against the report. They were Represent
atives Allen, Buchanan, Bulkeley, Clay
pool, Difenderfer, DonOhoe, Hayden, Mar
tin. Peters. Post, Reilly, and Wilson Of
Pennsylvania.
Eight Republicans voted for the adoP-
tion Of the report They were Represent
atIves Anthony, Campbell, French, Kin
kead of Nebraska, Mclaughlin, MondeIl
Rees, and Young Of Kansas.
Taft May Veto.
Although no Official statement has been
made at the White House as to Presi-
dent Taft's attitude toward the plan to
oust Gen. Wood, II is rumored that Mr..
Taft will veto the measure. The Presi-
dent has a high regard for Gen. Woods
ability, and has no sympathy with the
proposed legislation. The other money
measure in which general legislation has
ID fg h. los
and judicial appropriation bill, now pend
ing in the Senate, which contains a pro-
vision abolishing the United States Com
merce Court. This provision has been ap-
proved by the House and the Senate, and
will shortly be sent to the White House.
II President Taft vetOes either or both Of
these measures, the legislative situation
will be seriously complicated and the ad-
journment OF Congress will probably be
delayed.
The military bill as adopted by the
House will make many changes in the
army. In addition to the provision GUST
ing Gen. Wood the term Of enlistment
las been increased from three to four
years. This provision is also against
the wishes OF the officials Of the War De-
partment. who contend that II will make
It more difficult to obtain recruits to keep
the army up to its full quota. The orig
enlistment of five years. This, however,
was reduced by the Senate to four years
IL make the army enlistment term the
same as that in the navy and the Marine
Corps. Provision is also made for q
commission consisting Of Senators, Rep
resentatives and several retired army
officers to make a report to Congress
upon the proposed abandonment OF un-
necessary army posts. The quarter
masters, commissary, and pay corps
will be consolidated, in accordance with
the measure.
Hay Assumes Responsibility.
Chairman Hay. OF the Military Commit
tee, called up the conference report short
ly after the House convened.
The provision affecting Gen. Wood"
declared Mr.. Hay, was put into the bill
because the conferees believed 1t was
good, general legislation. II was not
aimed at any person. prepared this
provision with the view that only an OFF,
Ger who has had long experience in serv-
ing with troops should have the office
cf Chief Of Stan. originated the idea
and accept the responsibility for it."
Representative Prince Of Illinois, who
was one OF the conferees and declined
10 sign the conference report, led the
light against the measure. He was sup
ported by Minority Leader Mann, Kahn
1f California, Representative Martin Of
Colorado, a Democrat; Cooper of Wis |
,onsin, Weeks Of Massachusetts, and !
QueZOn, Of the Philippine Is |
ands Chairman Hay and Representative |
HondeIl Of Wyoming. a Republican, de- |
ended the report.
Mr.. Martin referred to Gen. Wood as
he ablest army officer he had ever met. !
Mr.. Martin made an indirect attack on
senator Warren, chairman Of the Senate /
Committee on Appropriations, in whose
State is located Fort D. A. Russell, one
If the posts Gen. Wood recommended /
should be abolished. Mr.. Martin also re-
erred to the rapid advancement Of Brig.
zen. Pershing, who is Senator Warren's
ion-in-law.
Representative Cooper read Official re-
ports to the War Department commend
ng Gen. Woods services in the field.
Representative Gillette of Massachu-
setts declared that the provision defin-
ng the qualifications of the Chief of
stan had not been thought Of until after
he feud developed between Gen. Wood
and Gen. Ainsworth, which ended in
Gen. Ainsworth's retirement to avoid a
court martial. Representative Kahn
the measure as exceed
ngly vicious legislation