Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-15
PRESIDENT ENL|STS AID
OF HAY IN ARMY PROGRAM
They Prune Down Liberal Estimates
Made by Garrison From S250,-
100000 to S182 100000.
"CITIZEN RESERVE" FEATURE
Chairman OF House Military Affairs
Committee in Accord With Admin
istration Plans-Danicls for Five
Year Construction Program.
Especial to ThS Times Dispatch !

Especial to The Times Dispatch
WASHINGTON, October l4-Reduc-
ing by one third the liberal estimates
of Secretary Garrison, the President
to-day enlisted the support OF Chair
man James Hay, Of the House Military
Affairs Committee, for n national de-
fense program for the army, which
calls for Citizen reserve" a nominal
increase In tho standing army. gen
crous allowances for aeroplancs, field
artillery and ammunition. and an ap-
preparation bill at the next session OF
Congress approHimating 100000.
Secretary Garrison wanted an army
bill of s250.000,0O0. He proposed heavy
increases in every branch of the SER
vice including n larger standing army
than Mr.. Hay would countcrnancc.
The President pruned down the tenta-
tive estimates to the s1S2,O0O.O0O hg-
ure-which incans tho forthcoming
army appropriation bill will be about
sS5. 900 more than the average army
appropriation bill.
The basis of the army program ia
the Citizen reserve" recruited at the
rate Of $4,000 men per annum. These
men will be trained two months in
each year for an enlistment period OF
three years. They will he subject to
call TO the colors for three additional
years.
The administration plan is that as
each quota OF 900 men completes
the service period. 1t shall be replaced
by additional enlistments to this figure,
Keeping the reserve" army of 100000
at all times.
ADpnnpIlU
FOR RESERVE BRANCU
1t is estimated that 10000 additional
officers will be needed to train the re-
serves. Beyond the amounts allowable
for an adequate ammunition SUNNY.
and for field artillery, most of the pro-
posed increased appropriation will be
used for the ~eserve branch of the
army.
Chairman Hay has agreed TO sup
port this plan. although he doubts that
the cn!istments Will be as gratifying
as expected by the administration.
1t liz improbable that the forthcom-
ing bill Will authorize an army of
more than 10000 mch The figures
are subject to revision nj a future con
ference between the President and
Chairman Hay, all indications being
that the army, now Of $4,000 men, will
be increased to between 100. 900 and
10000
The administration will not submit
10 Congress any proposal for an army
of 100000 TO 800. 900 men, as suggested
from various sources a short time ago.
PROVISIONS or PROGRAM
AS TT Is NOW UNDERSTOOD
1t was learned from an authoritative
source to-day that the army program
as 1t now stands calls for substantially
the following:
l. The establishment of training
camps to teach the rudimcnts of war
fare to the 10000 men expected an
nually To enlist with the reserve Each
citi"ch-Soidier Will receive six months
actual training during three years.
= The addition to the aerial c1uip-
ment OF tha army of at least twenty
aeroplanes Of the most modern tvp..
ana the discardinG OF old machines as
soon as they cease to be up-to-datc
s. the purchase of armored motor
vehicles. such as are now being used
successfully in the European war.
1. Large increases in the artil-
lery branch Of the service. now In
mentally weak. This part OF the an
preparation will he unstintcd. the cx-
act amount allowed 10 depend largely
upon the advicc' of experts now en-
gagged IN determining what is needed
.. The laying in Of vast supplies
OF reserve ammunition
t. standing army whose strength
VIII he compromise between the fig
ures OF the small army" advocates
who are opposed to any increase. and
the "hig army" forces that desire an
army Of 2oo,OOo TO 800. 600 men. The
addition OF ten infantry regiments and
f"rty-s!N companies OF coast artillery
is now the plan or the administration.
NO RADICAL. INCREASE
IN STANDING ARMY
The fact that Chairman Hay is in
substantial accord with the admins
tration program is evidence that there
VIII he no radical Increase in the
standing army. Mr. IIay has consist
emily opposed such legislation since ne
became chairman of the Military Az
fairs Committee.
His position has been that with an
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