Evening star., 1916-01-11
Second Serious Rift Over Ad-
ministration Program Be-
comes Apparent.
HOUSE COMMITTEEMAN
TALKS WITH PRESIDENT
virginian Favors Regular Force Of
10000 and Enlargement Of
the National Guard.

The second serious rift in democratic
ranks over national preparedness ap-
peared today, when Representative
Hay. chairman Of the House military
affairs committee, left the White House
after half an hours conference with
President Wilson. Majority Leader
weeks ago.
Mr.. Hay laid before the President
tentative proposals the Virginian has
in mind. providing that the regular
army shall be brought up to its full
strength. about 100000, and shall be
supplemented by a national guard,
which Mr.. Hay believes his bill would
bring to 100000 within two or three
years through strong federal financial
and military aid.
Garrison Plan Rejected.
The plan of Secretary Garrison for a
continental army Of 100000 men In
three years, under federal domination
and control, is laid aside. and. SO far
as Mr.. Hay is concerned. laid upon the
shelf for good. Inasmuch as President
Wilson has unreservedly indorsed the
Garrison plan, which was originated by
the general stan of the army. the atti-
tude Of Mr.. Hay was today considered
as presaging trouble for the President:
Mr.. Hay, leaving the White House and
pressed by numerous inquiries. declined
to say what President Wilson thought OF
the Hay plan as opposed to the Garrison
plan. The impression has been that the
Virginian would be placed in charge Of
the exception of minor details, agree with
the President as to the best means OF
increasing the efficiency Of the army in
times of national danger and stress. 1t
was pointed out today that Mr.. Hay, once
his mind Is set on a matter. is rather
hard to change, and for that reason
troubles within the inner circles OF the
democrats seemed to have started.
Bryan Has Not Asked Hearing.
Mr.. Hay said that it would be at least
six weeks, probably. before his COM
mittee will report to the House a def
mite bill as to the future status Of the
army. In the meantime the committee
will give frequent hearings. listening
to those who want to be heard. w. j.
Bryan has not yet asked permission to
appear before the committee. and it is
not known whether he will do SO. He
will be given all the time he wants il
he desires it.
nay, speaking Ol HIS own VIEWS,
said that the present National Guard
Of the country numbers about 10000
men. Mr.. Hay is perfectly willing to
increase the money necessary for
equipment of the National Guard from
about 100000 each year to 100000
900. and then provide generous appro-
priations that will induce the enlist
ment of thousands of young men In the
guard of the various states. He would
pay the officers and men well for the
time they serve and offer good induce
ments for enlistment under conditions
that in case of war they would be sub
iect- to draft by the President. They
would also be given military instruc-
ton. at stated periods by War Depart
ment officers assigned to that duty.
Mr.. Hay is confident that in three
years the National Guard would run up
to 400. 600 membership in the different
states. with an efficiency equaling that
Of the proposed continental army
Secretary Garrison's plans. which
have the approval of the President, also
provide for an increase of the regular
army from the present total authorized
strength of 102,000 to 10000. Mr.. Hay
does not agree to that.
Just how much of a compromise Presi-
dent Wilson may eventually be willing
to accept nobody was authorized today
to say, but at present he stands pat
upon the Garrison plan.