The Washington times., 1916-02-07
MOUSE NEARS.
TEST VOTE ON.
DEFENSE ISSUE.
Bill to Increase Number at
Naval Academy May Give
Show Of Strength.

A test vote on the preparedness
issue is expected in the House late
TODAY, when the Speaker recognizes
Chairman padGett OF the Naval A.
fairs Committee tor the presentation
Of bill incrca sing the number OF
midshipmen at the Annapolis Naval
Academy.
slight furry over the defense
program was occasiored in the House
this afternoon when dill was called
ur to build additional WAYS at the
New York and Mare Island navy
yards so these wards NAV bc equipped
to turn out dreadnauehts. More op-
position. however. Is likely to arise
against the midshirmen bin which
lneans eventually n large increase in
the number of officers f0r the nav.
The vote on this bill may be a test
vote on preparedness. although the
measure is but incidental to the Ad-
minstration's entire program. The re-
1atonship was such, however, that four
members Of the Naval Affairs Commit
tee opposed the report Of the bill, which
warmly urged by Secretary Of TIE
Navy Daniels.
Shortage of Officers.
An impending serious shortage OF Of
fic'rs to mnn the shiNs of lue navy
makes the bill necessary.
The bill permits each Senator, Repre-
sentative, and Delegate in Congress TO
name three instead of two mldsnipmen
each year for entrance to the Naval
Academy. The committee reports says;
in fuli 1plrn prlommission sion ships already built
and authorized there must be obtained
before July I. 1919, or lin" officers. and
II the rev building program is adopted
45l more line officers than allowed by
existing law will tie needed by July l.
1921.
"lnder existing law. the sources OF
supply for line officers are from the
graduates Of the Naval Academy and
promotion from the enlisted force. Pro-
motions from enlisted men to the num-
her of twelve annually are allowed. but
M to present time the NAVY Depart
ment has not heen successful in obtain
ing that many annuallv from the en-
lstcd men. The bill docs not change
existing law IN this respect
he opposition Of the small navr'
faction in the House is predicatcd on
tho understanding that additional Of
f1cers are wanted within the next few
Years to bring the navy up to it's war
colsplement." and to man the additional
shins proposed in the preparedness pro-
gram.
Uncertainty Prevails.
IL lS possible that some members or
the House who are antagonistic to the
major defense program NAV vote for
the midshipmen bill hut the lire-up on
this measure will afford a fair index
Of the strength OF the opposition to the
Administrations plan for preparedness.
Congress enters the third month Of its
session with uncertainty prevailing
everywhere as to the fate of the pre-
pareGness issue
Hearings on the naval appropriation
bill have dragged for FIVE weeks Secre-
tary Daniels and majority Of the ex-
perts or the service are vet to be heard
slightly better progress has been made
by the House Committee on Military A.
fairs and hearings will be closed by that
committee on February H. il present
plans carry. IT Is probable the army
budget will be brought into the House
IN advance OF the naval bill
Revenue Committee Inactive.
While these two committees proceed
with a laborous consideration Of the
defense bills. the Ways and Means Com
mittee is consistently inactive regarding
the preparation Of a revenue measure
democratic members of that Commit
zee excuse their inactivity on the theory
mat I'VE cannot tell how much reve-
nue. We need until We see the defense
measures"
Administration supporters hone there
VIII he an awakening OF interest as
soon A rTTTse members begin to hear
lhe echoes OF the President s recent pre-
paredness sDeeChes. The anti -prepareo-
ness contingent in the House has clear
~ indicated that ABOUT the Onlv rev
enue legislation it will support is a bin
amending the income tax. or taxing the
production of munitions OF war.
Tentative Plans.
Tentative plans OF the House leaders
cali for repeal OF the stamp taxes"
OF the war revenue bill Of 1915 an IN
rreas" in income RXes that will fan
heavily won the wealthier classes,
ana possibly an internal revenue tax
on the munitions makers. AS published
IN The Times, this taxation scheme
took precedence over all other sugges-
tions several weeks ago. and i. mas
increased rather than diminished IN
favor AS IN" taxation problem became
more acute and interviewer with that
of national defense
With the House Committee or Mill
tarN Affairs hoping to wind up its hear
lhss soon, It is asserted strongly by
prominent members Of the committee
that the continental army plan is beat
rn, They say it IS good a 9 dead AL
ready. and will not only be isapproved
ny the committee. but b! the House
Though tho military nrogram which
Congress will adopt Is far from heino
shaped, few phases Of il are coming
10 he regarded as practical Certaintics
me or these Is comprehens Ve legiSla-
lion to increase the national guard to
F''Vo or more men. with Federal pay.
For Army Increase.
Indications are the House 'conmittee
Will add materially to the regular ramy.
increasing it to 40 600 mon or more.
The House committee Is giving mu-h
thought to building up OF the regular
army reserve.
Powerful sentiment for GOVERNMENT
manufacture of munitions will doubtless
stamp itself on the army BIZ. as it Is
reported from the House cnmnittco,
End. while there is no prospect e Going
10 Government manufacture at one
'ulnn. the indications arc ther" viii he
ma rked nrosrHss N that direction
That the army bill as II roIncS from
the House committee. will contain some
provisions for training more Officers,
and pro Iis'ons for much larger sunp es
"f "sr material and artillery Is &
pected
SiX-Year-Old Child