The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-27
$4,000 ARMY PLAN
PASSES COMMITTEE
War College Proposal for
100000 Beaten by
rs tO Il Vote.
PRESIDENT IN CONTROL

w.suSGroN. Feb. ?s.-Testimony
tsts1 .o-!ay hy the House Committee on
military Affairs on the army features Of
President Wilson'S national defence pro-
eramme show Enthusiastically that the Ad-
mins,rd;ion forces are In compi.t e con.
troll ~ that organization. There were
votes n the committee to-day on motions
10 Increase the army to 22O. 900 men, to
10000. to $4,000 and to the size as
recommended as tn. Wilson plan. The
Administration'y proposal tina, the army
be Increased from an authorized strength
Of 1o0,oco to 1876 900 was adopted.
Tho recommendation OF the War Col
70 10000 men was defeated overwhelm-
ingl, II is known that Chairman Hay
voted against IL. although details OF the
lineup were withheld from the public.
SIX members voted for. an army Of
100000 men compared with sixteen
sgalnst
Tho Administration proposal was car
risi on a motion by Representative Shall.
lenberger OF Nebraska, a close political
and personal friend Of Mr.. Bryan. Al
though an opponent OF preparedness Mr..
Shallenbt rger fell into line for the plans
Of the Administration in relation TO the
army.
Vote o. Draft THE Week.
Tho second draft Of the army bill was
completed to-day and a vote will he
taken Wednesday. Arrangements will
be concluded also to take w the bill for
debate, which will be begun about
March 10. The present form does not
differ except In minor respects from the
measure as outlined in detail In Wash.
instcn dispatches in THE Sun early this
week.
Although the continental army plan is
some 80 far as the House Committee Is
concerned. NO members Of the committee
have yet asked for "A vote on the Gar
r.son idea. That an effort will be made
% force a vote OF IL when the bill comes
Up in the louise is assured, but Chair
man Hay and his associates are salts
ned the House will reject the continental
army plan by an rwhelmiug vote.
As the hill now stands IL provides for
Fedc,ali1ing the militia by authorizing
the President TO call out these organiza-
, 'lpns in time OF war and by giving the
, Se,r,tary of War "a veto power over the
selection 81 officers by the States. This
provision of the bill was adopted with
ou, much debate.
opponents OF preparedness conceded
Or" proposition. They agreed TO the
adoption 81 u provision authorizing six
regiments Of field artillery Of four pro-
posed IN the Administration plan.
i."OU Military Instructors.
Tn. committee also comni-nu the
provision heretofore adopted relative to
the detail OF signal officers as instructors
~ military schools. Th. hill originally
provided for u detail Of 7S6 officers for
sich service. The pro, ision adopted to-
10y increases this detail to 1000 officers
~ a unanimous vote the committee
adopted u provision doubling the cadet
.' ~ AT the Military academy and pro-
v.ling the additional rcconmcrjlt "ns
require as Il result. This will involve an
expenditure OF s2S",0vu.
ON Monday the committee will hear
rrWy officers on The feasibility Of con-
,'ruoiing a nitrate plant to make DOW
de- IN ,'mc Of war and fertilizer in time
o. peace. This authorization wa terta-
t'v,l' adopted early la the week. II pro-
vide for 4 Government nitrate plant to
~, operated in connection with a private
corporation.
Progress has been made by the House
committee on the Administrations defence
.J.-e. This is notably true Of the
Military Committee. Hearings were rom
'Iu-d before the House Naval Commit
zee, hu' doubt ~ expressed hat the navy
plans vii, Lee limited to the House
Until late in April.