The Washington times., 1916-01-08
TALK OF COALITION
in CONGRESS TO PUT
OVER ARMY PLANS
Republicans and Democrats in
House Military Committee
Said to Favor Increases.

Although the opponents OF prepared
ness are declaring continually they are
making progress against army leglsla'
ton and that the country is being more
and more stirred up against prepare
ton. things are shaping uD gradually
in both houses for determined efforts to
add to the military strength of the coun-
try and to provide for large increases
in the navy,
Significant in this Connection is the de-
clsion of the House Military Commit
toe to begin hearings about the middle
of next week. Senator Chamberlain,
chairman of the military committee of
tho Senate. feels the committee ought
to cover a wide field in the hearings
without entire reference to the action
OF the House committee. though 1t may
be decided later not to duplicate some
OF the testimony before the House COM
mittee. However. the members Of the
Senate committee have developed a dis
position to hear and question high au-
thorities on army matters and military
matters in general
Talk of Coalition.
While this Is going on. there is grow
ing talk of a coalition among Repub-
licans and some OF the Democrats In
the House Military Committee to report
out the recommendation of the Ad-
ministration for army legislation. This
coalition may not reach to the continent
tai army plan as proposed by an Ad-
ministration, but It promises to reach at
least to the increase In the regular
army asked for by the President and
Secretary of War. Chairman Hay, of
the House Committee, is not in SYM
pathy with plans for increase of the
regular army and may find himself in
a minority IL the expected coalition
should develop.
II is becoming more and more plain
that the National Guard Is TO be
strengthened greatly. and this without
much reference to whether the conti-
mental army plan prevails or otherwise.
In the marked display OF interest by
Senators on the Military Committee in
military legislation. there is seen grow
ing evidence that. before preparedness
legislation is shaped finally. the Senate
will play big part.
Working On Broad Lines.
The opinion grows In well-advised
quarters that the Senate will take hold
of the national defense question in a
broated way and try to work It out on
broad lines, as IL has some other great
legislative problems in recent years,
such as the Federal reserve measure
and others that might be cited.
Meantime, there Is "A stronger senti-
ment I'm Congress TOR a greater navy
than there Is for q large military rorco
or an up-to-date military system. no
reason appears to doubt that the navy
will be strengthened heavily.
The situation was illuminated today
by a Western member who SAID no
was getting an increasing number or
letters from church people and oIner
opponents Of preparedness against en-
larged army legislation, but that many
or the same persons were expressing
approval OF a larger navy.
Government manufacture OF war ma
terial il discussed everywhere under
the surface. That the movement -
a strong one may be inferred from the
fact that armor plate concerns are
about to breach to the Navy Depart
ment plan whereby II would purchase
armOr under a flve-year contract, the
theory being the armor can be SOLD
more cheaply IL that plan is followed.
senator Tillman and other advocates or
a Government armor plant see IN this
an EFFORT to head Off legislation Tor a
armor plate factory