Evening journal., 1914-01-07
DEMOCRATS TO
TAKE SENATOR
DUPONT'SPLAN
Congressman Hays Military
Bill About Same as That Of
Delaware Senator
TO RAISE VOLUNTEERS
IN TIME OF war
Special Correspondents.


WASHINGTON, ID. g., Jan. Wien
Congress reconpcnes next Monday the
Democratic leaders in the Senate viii
make an effort 10 enact into law the bill
introduced in the House by Represen-
tatvc Hay OF Virginia, chairman of the
affairs committee, TO provide for
the raising OF volunteer troops in case
of war;
A careful scrutiny OF the Hay bill re-
vcals the fact that it is almost Identical
with the meosure introduced nearly two
years ago by Senator Henry A. DUPONT.
OF Delaware. Nearly all the features OF
the DUPONT volunteer bin have been
written into Representative Hays
Democratic measure. and only an expert
could detect any difference between the
two measures.
As veteran of the Civil War, Senator
dupont gave careful study 20 the needs
Of the army. and az chairman of the
SENATE military affairs committee, he
drew up the legislation which has been
accepted as model by the Democrats
lpmty
In his speech explaining his bill, Sen.
atof DUPONT pointed out that the only
/ act under which volunteers might be
organized at the present time is that OF
/ April 22. lsgS lt was passed three days
lprior 20 the declaration OF war with
Spain and its deficiencies are the best
lcydence of the haste and confusion
which prevailed at that time.
Senator DUPONT describing the act,
said: "Within three months after its APP
proval by the President, Congress was
lcompcllcl 10 enact a dozen amendatory
or supplementary bills. and within a
yeai placed ON the statute books new
and improved law for organizing the vol
untper forces for the Philippine service
While the original act of April %, 1898
has continued in force, most OF the
lnmcndatory ani supplementary enact.
ments were OF temporary character and
lhave become imperative. with the result
that we have upon the statute hooks
volunteer net which has not only been
tried and found wanting, but which p
NOW at Narauce with many of the pro-
visions OF subsequent acts relating g
the regular army and the miliila
"As matter of fact the iefieia
ton now on the statute books ~ re-
gard to the raising and equipping o.
j volunteers in time of war Is not onl,
[, confused but absolutely inadequate
{ One OF its most glaring aud vital de
1 fects Is that no provision is made iol
! depot staff officers Of the ordnance
uuarlermaster. commissary. and othel
{ departments whose services would h'
I indispensable in connection with pro
e viding and forwarding the necessar,
b ammunition. subsistence, and othel
s stores of every description to an arm,
in the field.
As the existing staff organization
s of the regular army are totally made
5 quate in numbers to perform thil
\ duty In time of war. a sufficient mum
n Der of volunteer staff officers to do
duty at the supply depots are not onl'
n important. but absolutely essential
e The existing law provides no ade
G quate method for naming officers Z
+ command volunteer troops and leave
S. I'm confusion the question of whethe
e such matters should be arranged b.
p the governors Of States or by tn
n President of the United States.
T. Senator duPonts bill provided al
e easy and systematic method of rails
ing and onicering yoluteer troops, an
3 his bill has been accepted as a mode
e by the House Democrats. and is like
g. lly to be put through under Chairma
k. Hays name in the Senate, the Demo
It Gratis being in control.
r- With conditions between this couu
re try and Mexico threatening to bree
.e trouble. the Democrats feel that III
volunteer bill should be given tn
D. right of way when Congress recon
venes next Monday