The Washington herald., 1916-06-25
INCREASES FOR
ARMY CERTAIN
House Expected to Add Fif.
teen or Twenty Million to
Appropriation Bill.

The addition of s15,0oo,ooo to 10000, 900
to the total of the army appropriation
bill. which will be called up for further
discussion and passage in the House to-
morrow. was regarded as certain yestcr-
day after Chairman Hay, of the Military
Affairs Committee, held conference
with War Department officials on the
Mexican situation.
Representative Hay said he probably
would offer amendments adding approx
imately $40, 10000 to the total Of the
budget as reported several weeks ago
from the committee. The additional al
lowances, Mr.. Hay said, would be for
supplies, equipment. and ammunition for
the army, and 100000 will be included
for aeronautics.
In addition to these changes in the army
bill. the appropriations complittee has be-
fore II estimates for more than 900
to cover deficiences incident to the mob
illzation of the regular troops and the
National Guard on the border. An urgent
deficiency bill of about 100000 is expect
ed this week, and this bill will cover the
expenses of mobilizing the militia and
pay of militiamen up to June 80. The
funds carried in the army appropriation
bill will become available after June 30,
the fiscal year beginning on July /.
The addition of SO, oo0. 900 to the army
appropriation bill will run the total Of
th~t budget close to Slso, 10000 and will
make 1t the biggest army appropriation
measure ever considered In Congress.
National defense demands already had
jumped the total 100000 above the
average bill (Which is about s1o5, COO
and Chairman Hays amendment this
week will widen the difference between
the amounts carried in former years and
the amount necessary for the current
emergency and the next fiscal year.
Increase for Aeronautics.
One of the most important amendments
to be offered by Mr.. Hay is that increas-
ing the appropriation for aeronautics by
81 ooo, 900. This increase Is to be for the
purchase OF aeroplanes and equipment for
the National Guard and the training of
militia aviators. It was decided yester-
day that there shall be a generous appro-
priation for aeronautics, although the
army bill as originally reported carried
only S.222, 100.
When the army bill was brought into
the House for debate several days ago
Minority Leader Mann offered an amend
ment. which was adopted, increasing the
appropriation for the aviation section of
the Signal Corps to total Of S.Z22lOo
This 5000, coo increase previously written
into the bill on the floor is exclusive of
the 81, 10000 which Mr.. Hay. at the sug-
gestion OF the War Department, now will
ask
Assuming that the Hay amendment will
be approved. the total appropriation car
ried in the army bill for aeronautics will
be slightly in excess of ST. .0O0-as COM
pared with the 81, S22, 100 originally pro-
posed.
Congressional leaders have not yet taken
up the question of revenue to meet the
extraordinary demands OF the Mexican
situation. II actual hostilities are not or
dered. It may be possible to take care of
these demands in the forthcoming omni-
bus revenue bill, which members OF the
Ways and Means Committee are now
completing.