Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-03-06
BILL PROVIDING FOR
POWERFUL ARMY IS
OFFERED IN SENATE


CONTINUED from Page one)
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1 $4,000 fighting troops. The percentage
OF men In each company or battery at
peace strength would be Increased In
the interests Of efficiency and the full
war strength would be 225.Oo0. The army
would consist Of sixty-five infantry.
twenty-five cavalry and twenty-one field
artillery regiments IN addition 10 the
staff and other special corps and the
coast artillery. The mobile army IN
continental United States would consist
OF four infantry divisions and two
divisions OF cavalry. Corresponding In
creases in the number Of general officers
would be made and the rank and pay Of
lieutenant general would be given to the
chief OF staff.
The bill provides for complete roorgsn-
lzation OF the army. legaiizing the or
ganikation now IN force under depart
mental regulation. The appointment OF
second lieutenants other than graduates
Of the military academy are made pro-
visionai for two years before a commits
sion IL issued.
Fixed at seven Years.
Enlistment II fixed at seven years
four with the eoiors and three in reserve.
At the end Of one year Of service eff
eient men may be discharged into the
reserve on recommendation Of their COM
manders and at the end Of two years at
their own request n approved. Reserv-
lists would receive a minimum pay OF s24
a year and the president would have au-
thority 70 mobilize tho reserve in actual
or threatened hostilities.
As an additional inducement for re-
cruits. provision II made that men who
have completed six years service IN the
army may be examined by q board OF
officers to determine the civil occupa-
lions for which they are qualified and
they will be eligible TO appointment to
civil service positions OF that nature
without civil service examination. The
president also would have the power 70
appoint one man from each regiment TO
the military academy
Reserve officers Corps.
The reserve officers training corps
would have senior and junior grades es-
tablished at civil educational institutions
where military courses are provided with
an army officer detailed as instructor.
The senior grade units would be placed
at colleges and universities and the Junior
grades at high schools. Five hours a
week would be required in the senior
grade and three in the Junior. devoted
TO military training. Sumper camps for
Held training Of the cadets would be pro-
vided BY the government.
The regulations under which graduates
would be appointed 20 thu reserve corpa
are left 70 the president. Such appolntess
must be At least q years Of age ana must
oblisate themselves to serve for ten years.
Their maximum ia fixed at 5000.
Left 60 President.
The federal volunteer force Ia provided
Tor In general LANGUAGE. leaving the whole
question Of enlistment training. reserve
and the like to the discretion OF the prosi-
dent. The clause IL an amendment OF
me volunteer act TO permit organization
OF such a force In peace times as well
as war. The only restriction in numbers
Il that tho force shall not exceed an
average Of 600 for each congressional dIs-
trict, Approximately 10000 men IN all
Regular army pay would be provided for
both Officers and men during periods Of
training.
The plan is the continental army pro-
posai IN effect. although the committee
decided to leave TO the president the wild
eat possible latitude 50 that the require
ments OF the service could be fitted 10
the needs Of each section OF the country
individually. IL IL believed by trainers
Of the bill that this plan will offer tho
best means OF testing the possibility OF
creating an adequate volunteer army In
peace times. and the committee desired
to enact no regulations which would
hamper the experiments. The continental
plan proposed by Secretary Garrison. com
mittee members. thought was too definite
IN many respects.
Guard Plan Adopted.
For liberalization Of the National Guard
the blii adopts with numerous mod,fIoa-
lions the plan proposed by the National
Guard association. The rate OF nay Tor
offieers however. was set At 400 a year
for ell OF the rank Of captain or above.
800 for first lieutenants and certain
specified staff officers and $50 for second
lieutenants. The association plan pro-
posed higher pay for general officers.
Enlisted men would receive pay ON the
basis OF one-fourth OF the regular army
pay. and would contract an sniistmen,
20 serve the United States in tina OF war
The enlistment period IL fixed at siS
years. three with the colors and three IN
reserve, and organization OF the regulaI
army Is prescribed. Proviaion IL made
also for examination Of all officers ap-
pointed by state authorities and for the
inclusion Of officers OF the National
Guard In the personnel OF the militia
division OF the War department
The National Guard provisions Of IN,
eiil probably will be substituted by the
house provisions when the two bills reach
conference. The senate committee gav.
particular attention. 20 the regular arm,
features. while the house made the
liberalization project itH main object
since the same general outline Is fol.
lowed in both bills. the agreement will
not be delayed. Il Is thought
Republicans Lead