The Washington herald., 1914-02-17
~. 5. NNONEED
OF LARGE Army
Report on Appropriation Bill
Holds Country Is Well
Protected.
PLENTY OF AMMUNITION
Chairman Hay Calls Attention to Fine
Condition of Militia and to
Reserve of Supplies.

), More than $1,000, GOO. 600 has been ex-
pended for the maintenance of the mil
itary establishment of the United
States in the last ten years. according
10 a report made yesterday on the
military appropriation bill by Repre-
sentative Hay, of virginia, chairman
OF the House Committee on Military
Affairs.
This years military bill is notable
for the fact that II contains no au-
yhorization for extraordinary expendi-
tures, despite the rumors of war that
have been in the air for the last few
months. The estimates of the Secre-
tsry of War were cut to the bone, and
the appropriation authorized for the
fiscal year that will begin July 1 is
less by $4,000 than that of the cur
rent year.
At the beginning of the session Sec
Fetary Garrison estimated that s104.-
pI7,75S would be needed. Last years
appropriation amounted to ss4,241,1 145.
The appropriation proposed foots up
10 ss4,214,17S.
Increase Is Refused.
Among the recommendations made
by Secretary Garrison was for an ap-
propriation to maintain an army of
IS, 900 men, exclusive of the Philippine
Scouts, the Quartermaster Corps, and
the Hospital Corps. This would have
provided an increase of about 1900
men in the army. This appropriation
was refused.
'"The committee is not able to see
the necessity for this material increase
of the army" said Chairman Hay in his
report. Nor, in the opinion of the
committee, was any good reason given
Tor an increase IN the army over what
1t was last year. The committee rec
ommends the same number of men be-
ing appropriated for-77.5oo.
THE bill provides for nearly 10O00 men
more than the average strength for the
above period. The adjutant-general states
that there are 11,ae men in the Philippine
Islands. Thus there will be out of the
country 6, 179 men, leaving in this country
&, ss1 men-an ample number to deal with
any normal condition which may arise
here"
Plenty of Ammunition.
"If." continued Chairman Hay, for
any reason more men are needed. either
at home or abroad, it is assumed by your
necessary money to pay and equip any
number which ~ be called for by the
President.
THE committee exhibits a table show
ing the amount of money which has been
appropriated for the military establish
ynenC IN Ine lhSI ten years 1nls sHO"S
an expenditure of s1,0o7, ,l0, ,2704S for that
period.
But, in view Of all the facts, your
committee felt obliged to keep down ex-
penditures; nor in doing so have the inter- |
ests Of the country been imperiled. For, |
notwithstanding the alarming statements /
which have been made and which seem
to be always coincident with the con-
sideration of the army bill, We have In
reserve large supplies of ammunition.
stores, and equipment; nor has the army |
ever been more efficient than it is today. 1
Besides having the regular army thor |
oughIy equipped with guns, ammunition, |
and supplies of all kinds, We have our
militia-so far as it is organized-equipped |
in the same way, a body of 10000 able |
soldiers, equal to any emergency and
ready to respond to any call of duty.
But, beyond all this, we have in re-
serve 600 rounds of small reserve |
ammunition, 10000 rifles, and large re-
serve supply of clothing and equipage."