The Washington herald., 1916-07-31
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington.
In Washington.

Representative Augustus P. Gardner. Of
Massachusetts,, keeps everlastingly at his
preparedness propaganda. His latest
statement Is that the army appropriation
bill is entirely Inadequate and that the
fault lies with the Hay army reorganiza-
ton law and with the War Department
Mr.. Gardner said that the Treat boards
figures showed that s44l 10000 should be
spent for field artillery and field artillery
ammunition. while the pending bill and an
earlier bill provides for only S3s. 900. 900 for
that purpose and at that rate eleven or
twelve years would be required to bring
these features to an adequate supply for
the early months OF a possible war.
He said further: The actual facts
which cannot be disputed are these: The
country has been cockered up into the
belief that the regular army has been
increased by the Hay act OF 1T. 900 en-
| listed men of the line, peace strength.
Theoretically, that will be the case in
| the fiscal year ending, June 30. 1922, and
not before. This army appropriation bill
which we have before US. permits US
to pay 10000 men, and no more enlisted
men of the line of the regular army
during the next year"
When the conferees meet to consider
the Hay bill, the promotion by selection
| clause, which the Senate fastened to the
measure will be given great considera-
ton, for men in the service have called
to the attention OF the Conference Com
mittee. the perniciousness of such a
provision.
Perhaps the opposition to the clause
prescribing the conditions Of advance
ments of commanders and captains will
operate to make some important changes
in the provision If it is retained
There is, however, difference of serv-
Ice opinion as to the conditions which
should be adopted as a check upon the
selection. Some are in favor of making
mere time in grade a sole qualification;
others believe that sea service should be
added to make the condition worth while.
The conferees have been furnished with
the real arguments on the question and
are expected to make material amend
ment of the clause, II they do not strike
1t out in its entirety.
The board Of oficers that has been in
session for sons months at the War De-
partment has its work we'll toward COM
pletion. 1t is expected that the proposed
regulations will be submitted to the Sec
retary of War some time in August, and
If approved they will be adopted and is
sued to the service late in September
Some weeks ago the board visited Fort
Bliss. Tex. and there conducted trials Of
the proposed regulations. Since then at
tention has been given to the changes
found advisable during the use of the
regulations by the mounted commands at
Fort Bliss
The board consists of Col William D.
Beach. Maj. Stephen H. Elliott and Capt
Francis lie J. Parker, all of the cavalry
The new regulations conform to the
present statutory organization of cavalry
regiments, and they contemplate the sin
gle rank as the normal formation.
Charges that advocates of prepared
ness have been animated by material mo-
tives, other than patriotism, will now be
aired by Congress.
Representative Galloway, of Texas, in
an extension of remarks in the Congress
sional record. declared that munitions
contracts and stock in the powder COM
panies were the motives that inspired
much of the preparedness propaganda.
Congressman Gardner was referred to in
an offensive sense and he has promptly