Norwich bulletin., 1916-03-17
NATIONAL DEFENCE ACTION SOON
Congress Has Set the Stage for Discussion of Defence Pro-
gramme Urged by President Wilson-Matter VIII be
Taken Up in House Today With General Debate Limited
to Ten Hours.

washington. March 16. - Sweeping
aside interfering matters, congress to-
day set the stage for prompt action on
the national defense programme ur-
gently pressed by President Wilson
since the session began.
House Votes for Special Rule.
The house voted unanimously for a
special rule under which the army in
crease bill will be taken up at II
o'clock tomorrow morning, with pas
sage by Saturday night in prospect. A
ten hour limit for general debate was
fixed despite the fact that the bill is
the most far-reaching military meas
ure ever favorably reported to the
body.
Senate Committee Completes Review
The senate military committee COM
pleted it's final review of the senate
army increase bill and it was in the
hands of the printer tonight Senator
Chamberlain, with the administrations
influence behind him, will insist that IT
be taken up promptly, displacing the
water power bill now under consid
Grafton unless the latter reaches a vote
in a few days. The senate. measure in
some respects proposes an even more
drastic change in military policy than
is provided for in the house bill.
Joint Conference Within Three Weeks
Indications are that the joint con-
ference committee, which will adjust
the two bills and frame the final meas
ure, will be at work within three
weeks. The legislative framework OF
the army increase project may be all
accomplished fact within another
month. While the naval programme
has appeared to progress more slowly,
possibly it will be completed sooner
than the army projects. The increase
bills for the army, known as organiza-
ton bills, are distinct from the appro-
prjation measures which will provide
money to carry out the authorized
plans. These will have to be framed
and passed after the passage of the
organization bills.
Navy Bill Hearings.
The navy bill, under hearings for
months before the house committee
| is composite, including the appropria
| tons as well as the programme
| Hearings will end about April 1st
and the completion of the measure i.
| expected to take but a short time bv
| the committee.
The senate naval committee will
! hold hearings on the appropriation bill
| 1t has before it now the personnel re-
| organization measure carrying out Sec
rotary Daniels plan for seIective pro-
motion.
The house acted today after Presi
| dent Wilson had summoned leaders
| and urged them to make haste witt
| the defense programme as a duty tt
! the nation. Representative Burnett
who had right of way on the floor witt
| the immigration bill, was induced to
| day to make way for the army meas.
| ure and the special rule went through
with a rush. The immigration bill vii
be taken up next.
Ten Hours for Debate.
Although the rule adopted allow:
only ten hours of general debate, Their
/ robably will be extended discussio'
under the standing rule providing TO
ffve-minute speeches after the genera
debate closes. This may prevent
vote before next week, but every eff
fort will be made to dispose OF tn
bill by Saturday night.
The senate committee made severa
changes in its bill on final review A