The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-18
Hay Army Bill Is
Backed By Wilson

would be available a trained and par
TALLY trained army. inclusive OF the re-
serve. the national guard and graduates
of military schools. of 1,34 ,790 men.
Secretary Bakers figures. as read to
the House by Mr.. Gardner. estimated
the available force. trained and par
TALLY trained. at only 473. 700 men. Even
with tina 900 men proposed to be added
by the Hav bill. which were not in
cluded ir the Baker figures. the Secre-
thirds less than those Of Chairman
Hay.
Figures of Hay.
Chairman Hays figures were a regu-
lar army OF 10000 men, regular army
reserve OF $1,000. a national guard of
1890 and linen trained in the country"
s9o.7s0. a total OF 1,3ei.io0.
Secretary Bakers figures were a regu-
lar army OF 10000. including the Philip
pine Scouts; regular army reserve OF
only $500. a National Guard OF l2s.OOo.
and "others who have had some train
ing" 2Il.SO0 Total, I.3.7O0
Secretary Baker listed as partially
trained both the National Guard ana
the 2l.S00 men mentioned
The 1000 difference In the figures on
the regular army are easily explaina bic
by the fact that Mr.. Hay was counting
iH tne increases PROVIDED IN tne pend
ing bill. while Mr.. Baker gave the pres
ent authorized strength. other discrep-
ancies, however, are not explained to-
day
Hays Comment.
Chairman HAY made the following
comment today when asked IL he would
reply to Mr.. Gardner:
MY calculations were based on ng-
obtained
adJutant general Of the army. RE Is
the officer who knows about these
things' l understand that the figures in
the letter OF Secretary Baker were COM
OF the War College. / prefer to take the
Judgement OF the adjutant general.
=, have no fault to find with the new
secretary OF War. who evidently sub
mitted to Mr., Gardner figures furnished
him by the War College. / shall prob
ably content myself with a statement in
the House that the adjutant general =
nHures are preferable to those prepared
In the War College"
Mr. Gardner wrote Secretary Baker on
March y. calling attention to MIR. Hays
report on the army reorganization biIi.
lie asked the new Secretary OF War this
question:
Calculating in the same way as Mr..
IleN tapie Is calculated. how many
men are now available as a national
all?" '''' "'
Mr.. Gardner assaulted the army bill as
a bill that makes a noise like pre-
paredness, but It isn't noisy noise
II is about as loud as the tick of a
watch, or the still, small voice OF con.
science. 1t hasn't even walked up
Henry Ford"
Mr., Gardner added that the bill con.
sisted OF nmety-one pages and 22,0O(
words, and was a measure providing
plenty OF words but a scarcity OF reRu.
lar army men,"
The 10000 increase In the army, he
said; was utterly insufficient.
he what shn,,,H could . we do with 10000 men1''
trenches from the Congressional Gene
terry In this city to the site of the
National University on Nebraska ave-
nue. at the other end of town. That is
Turning to the letter OF Secretary
BAKER Mr.. Gardner said:
Some Not Trained.
Mr.. Hay says that II is estimated
2IO,2oO former regulars can be counted
upon as part OF our available material
Inc secretary say that only S2,769 would
DE available, and that It is unsafe Ia
consider these men as adequately train.
ed except with respect to discipline
three months intensive training would
| AAuN NldHlls the last
| ten years $3.50 men have passed through
the National Guard The Secretary OF
war says Mr.. Hay is correct about this
out ADDS that none OF these men was
really trained when discharged and two.
tllfdS OF them weer discharged before
the expiration of the term of enlist.
ment,
Mr. Hay estimates the reserve regu.
lar army at $1,000 men, while Secretary
Baker says the present reserve is 2,87,
men but 1t win ultimately be 1900
'"The Secretary adds this bill eventual.
| ~ Will increase the reserve 5000 men
lLl the increase will not become to be
effective until about three years after
pa ssage OF the measure"
Asking what's the use In having p
War College II. you don't follow It's
recommendations" Mr.. Gardner said
the War College reported TO the Prcsi-
dent favorinR an army OF go, 900 regu-
lars and 10000 reserve regulars.
The Hay bill" said MT. Gardner,