The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-17
Estim a tes Of Depart
ment Experts Are Cut
Down 100000.
WAR SECRETARY
is DISSATISFIED
Believed Limit of Efficiency Had
Been Reached When Appropri-
ations Asked Had Been Pared
to the Bone and Then
Trimmed 100000 by
Pruning Commission.
tspecin, to Tho Times-D,spatch.1 ]

Washington. February iG.--Secretary
of War Garrison is dissatisfied with
the army appropriation bin, carrying
sei,000.0o0, presented to the House to-
day by the House Military Affairs Com
mittee
The total appropriation carried in
tho bill is s27 900 900 less than esti-
mated by the War Department experts
as essential TO tho best needs and de-
velopment of the army. II is Slo.733.-
3S5 less than estimated by the pruning
commission OF the government. and
SGT 900 less than tho appropriations for
last year.
we cut TO tho bone with our esti-
mate" said Secretary Garrison. We
thought We had gone then 10 the limit
of efficiency for the army and its ad-
ministration. The House committee has
taken off many appropriations we
pected to come 10 the assistance Of the
army and add many items Topped off
by the House committee"
Aid tn Militia and Cadets.
Significance is ATTACHED to appropria-
tions In the bill increasing aliotments
to joint encampments OF state militia
with regulars, and 10 supply cadets at
semimilitary State institutions with
rifles free OF charge. For joint ma
noeuvres of Federal and State troops
AZ
over last year OF IS per cent. The APP
preparation to arm cadets with reguls-
tion rifles and 10 rounds OF ammuni-
ton Il year Is new.
Recognition iH given also to the
growing use In armies of all countries
OF the aeroplane as part of army couip.
ment through the appropriation OF
A25o.0oe for development Of this branch
or the service. This appropriation is
double the amuont allotted last year.
and is given the Signal Corps for pur-
chase or acrcpianes and training OF
men in their use.
The joint regular and militia war
board announced to-day that Joint
manoeuvrcs VIII be held in July and
August Mt Washington. san Francisco
and In Oklahoma. The plan Is to pre-
pare for protection to tile Atlantic and
Pacific coasts and for the Interior OF
the country. Oklahoma IL was sug
gested by military experts offered adj
Nantages should IL lie necessary To con-
centrate the army and militia in a
movement on Mexico.
Tho militia OF the Northeast. includ-
Ing troops from New York. Pennsyi-
yania. New Jersey Delaware. Mary
land and the New England states viii
be concentrated at Washington with
tho regulars OF the East and divided
INTO armies for the attack and defense
OF Washington. The British line Of
.
There is proposed q concentration
encampment near Baltimore for tho
Maryland and Pennsylvania trooDs
This is 10 he near Fort Howard North
Point outside or Baltimore, where the
British landed under General Ross.
and werc ropulscd after the death of
Ross.
Plans for Pacific Coast.
Flans for the manoeuvres on the Pa
cihc Coast. TO he worked out by the
regulars and militia officers. have not
been prepared. They will be 10 dem
onstrate whether IL Is possible for
foreign invading army or foe to make
landing on the Pacific Coast above or
below san Francisco and capture that
city
The manoeuvres In Oklahoma will
consist largely of long ''hikes" ana
evolutions. Militia from the Chicago
centre and from the Middle West
States will he concentrated ut this
point.
1t is provided in the army appropria-
tion bill that the government shall
manufacture its own arms and ann
munition. carrying sl25,0o0 for am
munition and si50.o00 for small arms
to loan TO militia.
There is 100000 for the purchase
Of horses. but 1t is specifically provid-
cd that no part of this shall DO used
for purchasing polo ponies. except by
tho West Point Military Academy
Among specific appropriations is pro-
rided: Subsistence Of army, $780, 900:
pay Of retired officers. s2,S?i.000 pay
of enlisted men, retired, S2,4S2, 900: pay
of enlisted men. sl6.1i0,000; equipment.
s5,700.00o; sanitation military posts.
S1.i00.00o.
Military schools are encouraged with
additional appropriations, and pay Is
taken from army men who take sick
leave through intcmperance or other
misconduct.