The Washington times., 1916-03-28
$S,611,5OO army
APPROPRIATION IS.
PASSED BY HOUSE
Emergency Measure Opposed
BY Lone SociaIist-Proy tides
For Mexican Force.

An emergency appropriation OF Ss,sli,
b02 II for the use OF the army. part of
which fund ls needed for the expedi-
tionary force in Mexico. was authorized
b. the House today by a vote OF 800
to /.
Congressman Meyer London, Socialist.
OF New York, cast the only vote in OPP
position.
That II is the intention of the army
to purchase and send to Mexico inn
mediately eight additional scout aero
planes and a number OF high-powered
motor trucks was asserted by Congress-
man Fitzgerald, a chairman Of the APP
preparations, in charge of the bill.
The deficiency .appropria is for
tary Baker having informed the COM
mittee that the cost of the 20,O 900 recruits
now being enlisted uner the bill that re-
Gently passed both houses and the cost
OF the chase of villa made the appro-
priation necessary.
To Buy Eight Aeros.
During the brief debate, Minority
Leader Mann said the number OF aero
planes at the Mexican border was m
sufficient, and he did not believe Villa
could be caught until more scouting
airships were sent.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said the War Depart
ment had recently acquired 1l2 motor
trucks. and that II would purchase sm-
mediately eight aeroplanes of nign
power costing $1,000 each. The bill
carries authorization for the purchase
OF twenty-four aeroplanes, but only
eight will be ordered at this time. I'ne
army has at San Diego. he said. a num-
Der Of training aeroplanes, put these
are not suitable for the high altitude
work in Mexico.
Mr.. Fitzgerald told the House that
the ARF0nlanag In oaarph IF villa ra
now flying at a height OF 5000 feet.
other needs because of the Mexican
situation and the 10000 recruits re-
Gently authorized, include:
Five thousand addition horses for
the cavalry, 1850 horses for the ar
tillery. $50 riding horses for infantry,
and ten bell horses for pack trains.
To Ask q Roll Call.
Minority Leader Mann said he in
tended to ask for a roll cali on the
SS,oOO.co0 deficiency bill Ito show that
when 1t comes to the proper use VI our
troops and a matter OF defense the
House can pass a bill of this kind with
out dissenting partisan vote"
However," said Mr.. Mann. Il think
should call attention here TO the fact
that the army. the same as anybody
else. learns by experience. The morn
ing I'aIers say that there are but two
serviceable eeroplanes on the Mexican
border.
This but goes to show that while We
20 along here dreaming about the state
Of our national defense. even a little
trouble on the torder reveals that all 10
not a. 1t should be.
1T Is now necessary that we send
more aeroplanes to Mexico. They should
have been there before. 1t is apparent
that the aeroplanc Is essential In mod
ern warfare and we haven't enough Of
them.
For Easy Communication.
THE only way we will catch the per-
son we arc after In Mexico IL to send
more aeroplanes there to LOCATE him.
And when these are built he may be in
a hole where no aeroplane scout can
find find him"
Congressman Fitzgerald, in charge of
the army deficiency bill. said General
tons Committee on Saturday that eight
acroplanes were on the border and IN
serviceable condition.
Yes. but was not General Scriven's
information obtained from press reports
and these press reports say today that
reported there have been accidents to
all but two." said MT Mann.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said he did not under
stand that General Scriven's informa-
ton was based on newspaper informa-
tion.
"At any rate" said Mr.. Mann. we
haven't enough aeroplanes in Mexico.
and are going to send more there"
That Is right, We are going to send
more down there" agreed Mr.. Fitz-
gerald.
The minority leader said communica.
ton with the American troops In Mex
leo Ia most unsatisfactory. He added:
For Easy Communication.
1T ought to be possible to communi.
cate with these troops almost hourly
by aercplane."
The statement of the Secretary OF
War regarding the need OF the deficl.
ency appropriation for the purchase Of
aeroplanes and equipment for the troops
now at the border was that $500. 900 OF
the 100000 appropriation for the Sigma
Corps Shall be used for the purchase
maintenance, operation, and repair oil
airships and other aerial machines anC
accessories In the aviation section. anC
for the purchase. maintenance, opera
ton and repair of motor-propelled, pas
senger-carrying vehicles which may b,
necessary for the aviation section.
''The urgent necessity for this appro
priation arises from the situation nov
existing on the Mexican border in con
nection with the movements of the ex
pedtionary column"
Appropriation Distribution.
The distribution OF the emergency ap
preparation authorized by the House to
day is as follows:
signal Service, .,......,......... $500 900 Q
Quartermaster Corps
Pay ...............,.......... l,STT. OH 4
Mileage to officers,.......... 5000 Q
Subsistence ................... 1914 D
Regular supplies. ...,......... SCI, 483 q
incidental eXpenses........... S6 $50 s
Horses ....,.................... l,529 900 {
Barracks and quarters...... 1880 q
Transportation ............., $50 AZ.
water and sewers at mill
tary posts. ....,.....,........ N,llO /
Clothing and camp and gar
rison equipage. .........,.... liza 542 {
Medical Department. ..,,...... 81, 500 {
Ordnance Department
Current expenses. ,........... 5000
Manufacture of arms. 5000 I
Ordnance afnrna and ann.