The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-24
HOUSE PASSES

| HUUSt PASStS
CONTINUED From First Page).
defeated the amendment by only TWEEN
| ty-two votes.
! Representative Gardner. Of Massa-
chusetts, succeeded In forcing into the
bill provision which practically pro-
vfdes q one-year enlistment term for
the army. His amendment, which
was tentatively adopted yesterday.
provided that while the regular en-
iistment term shall be seven years,
the Secretary OF War may furlough
into the reserve any enlisted man
who has served one year. and whose
superior offlcer certifies that he Is
proficient In his duties. and sufficient
! ly trained. On aEFeeefd- vete-the
Gardner amendment was written into
the bill today, 2o4 to 1913.
Strike Out Nitrogen Plant Provision.
After q lively debate, the House
struck out Of the bill the provision
framed by the Military Affairs Com
mittee. authorizing the government to
cooperate with private interests in the
establishment of a hydro-electric plant
for the manufacture OF nitrogen from
the air for use in manufacture Of ex-
plosives. Representative Mackenzie.
of Illinois, q Republican member of
the committee, moved to strike out
the section, and the House adopted
the amendment on a record vote OF
224 to $50.
During the days debate the House
went on record against the volunteer
army bill of Senator Chamberlin. now
before the Senate Military Affairs
Committee. The provision, which
would authorize the President to raise
a volunteer force under such regula-
lions as he might prescribe, was Of
fered by Representative Gardner as a
substitute for the militia pay section
Of the Hay bill. After some debate,
4 It was voted down without a record
vote.
The labor group In the House today
continued in vain their effort to place
In the army measure a provision
which would prevent the use of the
federalixed military to put down
strike disturbances Representative
Mclaughlin. Republican of Michigan
offered an amendment to prohibits the
service of the militia In labor disputes
which was ruled out OF order by Chair
man Garret. fshereupon Representa-:
tive Heating. Of Colorado, framed ar
amendment providing that no member
of the militia receiving pay from the
Federal government under the provi.
sions Of the Hay bill should be COM
PEELED to serve in any controversy be-
tween employers and employees. The
Heating proposal was voted down, rs
to 1874.
The House allowed to go through
without a record vote the amendment
placed in the bill yesterday by Repre-.
sentatives Tilson, Of Connecticut, and
Good, OF Iowa. This amendment au.
thorized the Secretary of War to Sc
cure a supply of tools, gauges and
machinery necessary to the manufac-
ture of arms and ammunition, to be
kept on hand for use In time of war
1t also provided that the Presiden,
and the Secretary of War may per-
! feet plans for converting the various
industrial plants OF the country into
munition and supply factories In time
of war.
The House allowed to remain In the
bill a provision authorizing the Sec
rotary Of War to maintain camps for
the instruction Of civilians in mill.
and enlisted men OF the army and
army equipment at such camps.
Chairman Hay. In charge Of the
bill for the administration, declared
that the enactment OF the measure
Into law would make available for the
national defense 1,324.790 trained
men, These. he said. would be made
tup of the regular army and its re-
serve. the national guard, and men
who have had military training OF
some sort in schools or colleges.
The "big army supporters in the
i House, however, took the position
THAT the Hay bill was merely ''step
toward preparedness. They asserted
that the only real increase in the
measure was that seniarging the regu-
liar army. They asserted that the ad-
dition of 10000 men to the standing
army was the only real result that
i the Hay bill would accomplish.
! Congress within the last two days
authorized the President to increase
the army above the 100, 900 legal limit
!, by recruiting all of the organization
lup to full war strength. Under this
authorization the strength of the
army will be brought up to 100, 000
Thus. an addition of 10000 men to
this provision is all that the Hay bill
accompanies, the "big army mer
fpointed out.
! Tho Hay bill adds 7.45o officers to
the present strength OF the army
Many of these will be used. under
an amendment adopted by the House
as instructors in military schools and
colleges. Graduates of these schools
and colleges who have taken the
course OF military training prescribed
by the War Department win be eli.
lgible as officers Of the reserve, after
serving six months% with the regular
.farmy.
The Hay bin will go to the Senate
tomorrow. and administration leaders
there will make an effort to secure q
Ereport from the Military Affairs Com
'fmittee, which will bring the measure
before the upper body BY the begin.
ming Of next week