Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-04
BORAH TELLS SENATE
NATIONAL GUARD CAN
NOT Be FEDERAL|ZED
Declares Constitution Offers
InSurmOuntabIe Barrier to
Proposal Carried in Pending
Army Bill

WASHINGTON, April 1.-The senate
debated the army increase bill again all
day today without any indication as to
when work would begin on the mass of
pending amendments. AS yet Chairman
Chamberlain, of the military commit
tee, has made no effort to limit general
discussion, which began yesterday, and
it probably will continue several days
at least before amendments are taken
up.
Senator Borah told the senate he had
found an unsurmountable constitutional
barrier against the proposal in the bill
for LIBERALIZATION of the national guard.
He made many legal citations to support
his contention that under the consti-
tuition congress has no power to enforce
the discipline it has authority to pre-
scribe. Should any state refuse to ap-
point officers or to train national
guardsmen, he said, congress would be
without any recourse. 1t could neither
provide for the training of the guards
men or compel the state to act and it
could not empower the president to ap-
point officers or compel the state to
appoint them.
Senator Cummins and Senator Lewis
sharply disagreed with Senator Borah.
Senator Lewis attacked the senate bill
provision for a force of federal volun-
teers, saying it was aimed at the ma
tional guard and would destroy it if
enacted. The Illinois senator asserted
that the ambitions of regular army Of
ficers to rise to deserved promotions
was wholly responsible for the volun-
teer army proposal. Because the ma
tion was resolved not to maintain
large standing army and since the con-
stitution barred graduates of West
DnSa Fr1V, De. -, h..
guard, he said, they naturally sought
an avenue of escape from their limi-
tations.
Senator Pomerene defended his
amendment proposing creation of a ma
tional guard section of the army gen.
eral staff. While regular officers look
ed with disfavor on the guard, he said,
no accurate report as to the guards
condition and fitness could be expected
from them. Only by appointing national
guard officers to the staff, he added,
could the full use of the state soldiers
be assured.
Senator Brandegee added to the mass
of amendments now pending by a pro-
posal to make the maximum peace
strength of the army 100000 instead of
$50, 900 as proposed in the bill. Senator
Gore submitted as an amendment his
bill proposing that a military training
course be provided for any high school
with an attendance of more than so
boys above 16 years of age, the govern
ment to pay two-fifths of the salary of
a military instructor. More than 10O,-
900 boys would be brought under train
ing in this way, he said.
Senator Smith, of South Carolina, Of
fered as an amendment the measure re-
ported yesterday from the agricultural
committee appropriating $15,000,0O0 for
erecting five government water power
plants for production of nitrate and au-
thorizing the president to designate wa
ter power sites. He proposes to urge
his amendment as a substitute for the
Underwood amendment authorizing an
investigation as to the best available
sites and most advantageous method of
producing nitrate.
Another feature of national prepared
ness was considered today by the house
commerce committee with Secretary
Redfield testifying in support of the