Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-18
HOUSE is DEBATING
BIGGER ARMY BILL
Speaker Clark Leaves Chair and
Will Be One of Men to Support
the Measure.
HOUSE UNANIMOUS FOR ACTION

WASHINGTON, March 17.-Un-
der a rule limiting general debate to
ten hours, the house today began
considering the army bill--the most
extensive proposal for increasing the
military establishment ever laid be
fore II in peace times. II possible a
final vote will be reached tomorrow
night.
Forty speakers have asked for
time, republicans and democrats be-
ing equally represented on the list.
When the debate began no opponent
OF the general plan OF preparedness
had asked to be heard.
Chairman Hay OF the military COM
mittee and Representative Kahn. rank
ing republican member. apportioned the
ten hours equally. so far as is known
no committee member viii favor reduc-
tion OF the provisions for the regular
army or the Netional Guard. although
several are known 10 favor a larger
standing army.
clark VIII Speak.
4 Speaker Clark. who will deliver an ad-
dress IN support OF the measure, sur
rendered the chair to Representative Car
rett OF Tennessee at the beginning OF the
debate.
Representative Gordon. democrat. OF
Ohio led off for the bill. He had been
listed as an anti-preparedness. but ex-
planned today that his opposition was only
to n great standing army.
Representative Hay told the house the
fact that the committee had reached a
unanimous report on the bill indicated
the feeling OF the country on the vital
subject OF preparedness.
In fixing 10000 men as the strength
of the army. he said. the committee had
gone to what War department officials
had testified was the limit OF peace tims
recruitment. A force OF $4,000 regulars
| would mean compulsory service, 70 which
the country was opposed and an annua
expenditure OF sT50.OOooOo for the army
alone.
'of course" Mr.. Hay said, 'if It came
to war. congress would go any extent .
Applause GREETED the statement
Representative Kahn interrupted e
point out that while the. bill provided
for a peace strength of 100000 fightinI
men. IN the imminenco OF war the presi
dent could bring It up 20 more thar
10000. exclusive OF auxiliary troops.
Hay for Four-YeaF Terms.
Il do not believe" Mr.. Hay said. tina
the two-year enlistment would be sooS
thing. Half the time the army would b
composed largely OF half-baked recruits
These who advocate the short term en-
lintment also desire that there be no re
enlistment Few men win enlist IL the,
know there is no future and the backbon'
OF the army today IL the non-oommis
stoned officer"
The proposed Increase In the army, h
explained. could be accomplished through
a four-yeaT enlistment as proposal BY tn
Dill.
Mr. Hay then turned to general en-
planation Of the plan to feeeraiine IN
national guard. He oontended congres
had fun constitutional power 70 do II
I'VE provide" he said. that the Ma
tsonal guard can be mobiiised at once. n
time o. war. without the delay and con
fusion Of spanish war days. do not be
lieve that any question win arise as u
the powers OF congress over the militia
Hut II Il does arise. the bill win stand tn
test. even before the supreme court tn
president win have the power to send tn
guard anywhere no can send the regula
army"