The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-22

Washington, Feb. 22-The funda- mental features of the Army <reor- ganization bill. one of the two major measures of the national defense pro- gram, were agreed upon yesterday by the House Committee on military af- fairs. A standing army of 135,0OO
 men, the liberalization of the Ma tfonaI Guard. the doubling of the number Of cadets at West Point, the construction of a government ammu- nition plant, and the creation of a re serve are the principal provisions of the measure. The bill will come from the committee, it is indicated, as a non-p partisan measure, and will be ready for report within 10 days.
 Thereswas no votebyesterday on the Continental Army plan. which had much to do with the reignation of Secretary Garrison. When this sub-. ject was reached no member of the committee--there were IS present asked for Consideration of the Con tipental Army estimates, and they were passed over as though they never had been submitted. Instead the committed proceeded to discuss the upbuiIding or the National Guard so as to lnakeAit a second. line of de- fense. H#
 ' Speaker Clarkes project for the as- signrnent of army officers to private
 
 the bill--an officer to be detailed to ingtruct every unit of 400 pupils. The bin will nppropriate s$2oO, 900 for en- larging the capacitysat West Point in order that additional cadets may be accommodated theres@ The House recently passed a bflI increasing the number of rnidshipmen% at +Annapoli
 The committee; is yet to put the army bill into printed form, but there was no division of. sentiment regard ing the fundamentals. Chief interest centres in the proposed Legislation af- fecting the National Guard, which is is to be a substitute for the 1egisla- ton advocated by Secretary Garrison.
 The Federal Realization Plan.
 It is proposed by the committee that the officers and men. who enter the state militia shall serve for six years, three years with the co1ors and three years in the reserve. The equipment, training and discipline of the militia shall be prescribed by Congress.
 Enlistrnents in the National Guard shall be with the understanding S<hat the President may draft the militia in emergency without requisition upon the governors of states. No of fcer shall besappointed until he shall have taken an examination satisfac- tory to- the Secretary of War, who
  anination. s r The training of the militia is to be by the Seeretary of War. In view of the contention that governors have the z.pe4xeR-ate muster out the nf1itiaa the bill will contain a specific provision naHffying such power.
 Chairman Hay contends that as the bill will provide that the President may use the militia in any way he may see it in time of emergency and will give the Federal Government pre- dominant control in time of peace, virtual Federalization will be had. It is the intent Of the committee to so draft the sbta that the National Guard will be entirely responsive to Federal needs in the event of war, and enlist ments will be Spredicated on the un- derstanding that the, niIitiarnen may This win : inE efect, make the militia an organization which has volunteered in advance to serve the United States at any time.
 fable lawyers have examined the proposed scheme said Chairman be. in vip1atfon Of the Constitution, all though the Federal Government is given aIIp the control 1t needs over these forces in time of war The militia is to be placed on a pay basis. Enlisted men and officers, the
 
 to be paid one-fourth the correspond ing compensation in the regular estab- On this basis privates will receive $4S a year; captains. $500; first lieutenants, $500; and second neuten- ants, $250.
 The bill will authorize a maximum for the National Guard of z25, 900 d basis sof 800 men for each meber Of Congress. The federaliza- ton provisions will exceed the pro- poSaIs of the National Guard associa- tion's tentative bill in many respects, incIding the maximum strength, au- thorized. The Guardsmep proposed only 800 men to a district The House committee bill will add provision for a National Guard reserve Sand for re- cruiting regiments sent to the front.
 Hand in hand with the federa1iza- ton of the State Inilitias Is to go more extensive training of army officers so that +here will be a larger number available for duty with the National Guard and at military schools The doubling of the capacity of West Point will have a direct bearing on this fea- ture.
 The Increases Proposed.
 The bill will bring up the authorized strength of the army to 135, 900 men under a skeleton form of organization ca pablo of being increased to PTS, 900