The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-05-16
conferees Agree On Army Bill
Providing For Doubling Of Pres
ent Strength and Increasing
Preparedness OF the Nation
COMPROMISE REACHED
AFTER LONG FIGHT
To Finance Plans Incomes viii
Be More Heavily Taxed and
Heirs Must Share With the
GovernmentRev Collectors

WAsHINGToN May IA. :
" After days Of bitter dispute.
with the chance for deadlock
and final disagreement always
in sight, the house and senate
conferees on the Army Reorgan-
ization Bill came to an under
standing yesterday and agreed
upon the features OF a comprom-
Use measure. Both sides yielded
much debated points, the house
winning on its desire to have no
system of volunteers in addition
TO the, militia ofthe various States
and losing inrits fight against the
establishment of a government
plant for the fixation Of nitrogen
from the air for the manufacture
of nitrates for munition purposes.
with the surplus going into COM
use.
The fixing of the peace
strength of the regular army was
compromise, the senate con-
ferees agreeing to- "a reduction
from 250,Ooo to 10000, while the
house ronfereeso came up from
the house maximum of 10000.
Now For the Money
' Now that the bill is to be re-
ported back in its compromise
shape to house and senate, with
the assurance that, it will be
accepted in each house, the question of
financing the increased army is upper.
most. The Navy Bill is not yet in
shape to estimate on, but il is certain
that it, too, viii call for larger share
~ the revenues than any previous nav
al measure.
Last night, Representative Kitchin
chairman of the house ways and means
committee, called upon Secretary Of the
Treasury MeAdoO and the two confer.
red on the question Of measures wher.
by the funds to meet the increased cost
If army and navy are to be secured.
The Rich Must Pay
Kiln an interview, Mr., .kitchin an
nOunced that the increase in the gov
srnmsnt's income is to be raised
through direct taxation. "The new
revenue measures that we have in view
will be based upon the policy of levy
ing the burden only upon the rich Of
this country and upon the foreign bel
igerents whose outbreak has forced
his nation to arm in its own defense, F."
said the ways and means chairman.
owe propose to increase the federal
ak on incomes and to impose federal
tax upon inheritancPs. We will also
place a tax upon the output of the
munition factories in this country. In
his way those best able to meet the
cost Of preparedness win bear the bur
den and the poor man will be spared
hat which he cannot afford"
Mr.. Kitchin stated that he had al
"eady submitted his suggestions to the
President, who had voiced approval of
.hem.
rhe Army Compromise
As agreed upon by the conferees on
he Reorganization Bills yesterday, tn"
army will have peace strength
e 100000, with provisions so that in
line of war it may be easily expanded
o $4,000.
The regular army will be composed
# sixty five regiments of infantry and
twenty-five of cavalry, twenty-one
ield artillery, a coast artillery corps
10000 and a signal corps of
1887, including the aviation corps.
One feature of the bill as it is now
aking shape is the plan to more than
louble the officers of the aviation
Orps. The number will be increased
rom sixty to one hundred and forty.
light.
The plan as approved by the confer
'es contemplates attaining the full
'eace strength of the army within FIVE
'Pars.
More Generals Provided For
The general officers of the line are
increased by four major-generals and
nineteen brigadier generals. The gen
'ral staff is increased to ffty.two.
The conferees agreed to eliminate
he senate bill 3 provision for five Of
icers of the militia on the general
tan, but provide u suitable substitute
hat militia officers shah be assigned
o citizens volunteer camps at the ex.