The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-04
HOUSE PASSES ARMY
VOLUNTEER BILL
President Empowered to
Oragnize Regiments
NOW GOES TO SENATE
Measure No Preparation for War
With Mexico Is General Opinion.
Mann Apprehensive of
Purpose of Bill
NOW GOES TO SENATE
THE DAY IN CONGRESS.
HOUSE,:

Met at noon.
Rural credit hearings conducted be-
fore a subcommittee of the banking
committee.
Women suffragsts pleading for a
suffrage committee in the House were
heard by the rules committee.
More than 1000 boy corn planters
from Ohio visited the capitol.
Postmaster General Burleson dis
cuscsed estimates before postoffice
committee.
Passed bill to provide separate minis
ters to Paraguay and Uruguay, in
stead of one to both, as at present
Many bills introduced to appropriate
millions of dollars for improving public
roads. Representative Gambler of Mis-
sissippi proposed $20,O00,0 900 annually.
Passed the Hay bill to provide for
raising volunteer forces in time of
war.
Adjourned at 1888 p. m. to noon
Thursday.
Met at 10 a. m.
Resumed consideration of the Hetch
Hetchy bill.
Democratic leaders failed to ratify
theirs currency bill programme, but
forced long session.
Recessed from 6 p. m. to s p. m.
Senator Thomas concluded speech
supporting Hetch Hetchy bill.
Adjourned at 1855 p m. to 10 a. m.
Thursday.
Washington, December S.--After a
discussion into which Republican
Leader Mann injected the Mexican sit
uation the House today passed the Hay
army volunteer bill that in varying
forms has been talked Of at the capitol
for many years.
The BILL which now goes to the Sen-
ate. ould put war volunteer forces on
an EQUAL footing with the regular army
1t would provide that when 'ver the
Presidents Judgment war is imminent
or actually exists the President may
organize volunteer regiments for war
purposes. The man, instead of enlist
Ing for short period as in past wars
would enlist for the war" The Pres
ident would appoint all the officers
not more than four regular officers
to be appointed to any one volunteer
regiment. The volunteer. force thus
formed would supplement the existing
natlOhdl &udru OF Hnllitia, with WHICH
the bill would not interfere.
No War Preparations
Representative Mann. in speaking OF
the Mexican situation said that Of
course Chairman Hay of the military
committee, the administration and al
others connected with the bill, would
vigorously deny that the measure was
presented now because the government
was preparing for war with Mexico
he recalled that just before the Span
committee presented bill to put $780,
100000 in President McKinley's hands
II took a minute then to say" added
Mr.. Mann. that at least there was one
man In the House who was not at
tempting to deceive himself while al
the others had said that this was not
in expectation of war, but TO prevent
war. ] fear that the same situation
arises now.
Would Regret War
II should greatly regret war with
Mexico" he continued. II have No com
plant to make of the Presidents at
titude in his dealings with Mexico
although / confess / can see no END &c
the road which he is now pursuing. He
said yesterday that the Huerta govern
ment In Mexico would fall soon. Very
likely, l think any government in Mex.
leo which does not receive the mora
support of our government will not las
O~~~~~~~~~.~-~.~~~~~~
(COntfnued On Pare Eight