The Washington times., 1915-11-19
BRYAN LEADER.
SC''Q||R|E:S:.:ARMY,.
URGES; PROBE
Bailey Demands Investigation
Before More Money Is Voted
| for Defense.

A scathins attack on the army OF the
matted States, charges Of 'rottenness.
alterations OF extravaganza. and serv-
inr notice that he will ask an investiga-
tion of the army as II now exists are
features Of statement gixen out py
Congressman warren Worth Bailey OF
Psnnsyivania. Mr.. Bailey. though
Democrat. is one OF the leaders linked
up with the Bryan movement to de-
feat President wilson's plans for ma
tional defense.
1t is likely that his statement Will
arouse q bitter controversy. 1t Is re-
earded as foreca sting some OF the lines
Of attack which will be made on the
armv and the navy by men In Con-
gress who are hostile to those forces.
and who are opposed to national de-
Tense.
Mr.. Baileys statement In part says
Should Investigate.
Before Congress shall decide to vote
huge sums of money for an increase
1t seems TO me that It should find out
already have.
According to a compilation Of figures
for 1914. the United States Army cost
the taxpayers more than two and a
half times as much as the entire legis-
lative. executive and judicial branches
Of the Government for thai year: more
than five times as much as the Agricul-
tural Department and more than twen-
ty-fvc times as much as the consular
and diplomatic service.
THE amount OF money appropriated
for the army last year was IN round
figures sl0l. 100000. This constitutes a
tax Of more than 81 on every man. wom-
and and child In the United States. In
scent on forts. and on the Military Acad-
Figures compiled for the year ended
In 1914 show. that the number Of sol
compared with the number enlisted
was over Il per cent, this In spite OF
the fact that our army in its rate OF
pay for enlisted men is the highest In
the world. During the same period more
as soldiers. of whom approximately
but 5000 were accepted. This clearly
shows-as these proportions are about
the same for many years-that the
United States army Is enlisted from
picked men who are selected as OF good
character and temperate habits.
Matter Concealed.
In the coast artillery II has beer
apparent that grave disobedicnce, re-
sultins in loss of life, has been con
cealed and apparently condoned by tht
officers of court-martials, dates of thu
offense. It is alleged. having been care
fully arranged so as to conceal III
gravity. This indicates both demorali
zation and dishonesty In the admins
tration OF Justice and a favortism ap
parently designed to shelter the Of
ficer.
miss this opportunity to say that d.
not In the least agree with those VIII,
insist that this country Is defenseless
Our army. notwithsta nding the apparen
doubtedly capable OF good service. l
is probably composed of as brave mel
as any army of equal size in the world
Our military establishment as !
stands ia not democratic; il is feudalistic
II Is borrowed from the autocracies o
the Old World. 1t closes the door o
hope In the face OF the enlisted man
Once q common soldier. always n com
mon soldier. In no other branch o
public service. in no other field of en-
TO the Young man entering therein. thu
far may YOU go and no further. Onl,
Few days ago man who as boy wa!
water carrier In the great Cambri;
dustrial world by stepping to the heat
OF that gigantic plant and to the yer!
forefront of great affairs in that bus!
world. But had J. Leon Rcplegle en-
listed IN the American army as a com
mon soldier. no matter what his cour
ago. no matter what his intelligence. n,
matter what his application, no matte
what military genius he might have de
reloped, he must have remained In tn,
ranks. A commission could never hay
crowned his efforts. For one, ! rcgar,
this system as a reproach to the Amerl
can people. and I fee! sure that. ono
they como to realize its meaning. the,
viii demand the rcorganization Of tn
army on lines which will conform Il L
the democratic standard. II would b.
my hope that the investigation which
Is nv purpose to ask would result Il
recommendations looking to such re
nrRapizafinn