Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-21
House Democrats to Consoli-
date in Support of the Ad-
ministration Program.
CHAIRMAN HAY TO SUBMIT
BILL TO THE PRESIDENT
Increased Force of Regulars and En-
istments Under Continental
Plan Largely in Favor.

An early caucus to consolidate the
democratic majority in favor OF the
administrations army plans Will pe
called by the leaders of the House,
and 1t is expected that enough mem
bers will be pledged to support the
bill to prevent republicans from upset
ting and embarrassing the plans Tor
continental army and a larger force
of regulars. This has been determined
upon in the last few days, according
to House leaders who have been in
communication with one another; and
1t is evident that since Representative
Hay, chairman of the House committee
on military affairs, talked with the
President few days ago, there is con-
siderably less reason to believe that
the way of the bill through the House
will be stormy. There will be fights
against it, of course. but House men,
bers now think the democrats will
bind themselves in caucus to keep a
solid front.
Chairman Hay to Submit Views.
There are also indications that Chair
man Hay will return to the White
House with a practical plan for writ
ing a military bill which he can con-
scientiously support. This, it Is stated.
will embody essentially the administra-
zion plans. Chairman Hay will first
W ork TO bring the House democrats to-
sether on the subject, because 1t is
feared that with a greatly reduced ma
Jority the democratic plans may be
Dadiy mauled by recaicItrant demo-
Gratis voting with the repuDhcans. No
one interviewed as yet mas gwen any
clear idea OF what the republican tao
tics regarding the army measure Will
pe. but all democrats are OF mind that
1t is best to be wary. The republicans
might easily upset the program II they
nave a chance. At any rate, it is
Hnown that Cnairma9 HAY is going to
take the leadership Of the house in
mis- own hanuS in mis- own way In or
Ger to get the bill through.
Approval of Continental Army.
Large corporations are beginning to
write to Washington expressing their
approval of the continental army plan.
and one concern expressed its willing
ness to allow men leave for military
service on full pay. Enlistments would
be for six years. but service would oc-
cupy only two months year for three
years, the remaining three years being
merely to keep a large force in re-
serve.
The question of officers, which was
uppermost in the minds Of many army
enthusiasts, has been partly answered,
inasmuch as the administration pro-
poses to ask for an increase of .144
cadets at West Point, bringing the
corps up to a capacity Of 100 men. BY
this means, promotion OF qualified men
from the ranks. and appointments to
the service of graduates from military
schools at least 1000 officers can soon
be added to the army.
Secretary Garrison's Plans.
The War Departments side of the
Administrations national defense pro-
gram will be the skeleton or basis for
the development of further prepara-
tions, according to statement made
by Secretary Garrison today. He said
he did not propose to come out with a
long statement containing lot of de-
tails which would not be read any
where.
The program. he said, will be made
up of a backbone and the ribs. The
question of valves and details of con-
struction will have to come later.
to show him the skeleton first" he
said.
What the Estimates Will Include.
War Department estimates will in
clude an appropriation for fortifca-
tions at San Pedro, Cal, near Los An
geles. Details of the estimates have
not been made public. but it is under
stood sixteen-inch guns will be in
stalled at Fort Macarthur, as the post
is known 1t is also understood that
additions will be made to the San
Francisco defenses. sixteen-inch guns
being installed to command the en-
trance Of the harbor and a wide reach
of coast line to the north and south
Other Pacific defenses of this charac-
ter will be installed on Puget sound.