Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-10
Political Considerations Likely
to Defeat Continental Army
Plan Proposed by Experts
Of War Department.
BILLS OF TWO HOUSES
DIFFER RADICALLY
President Urges Greatest Pos
SibIe Haste in Licking
Measures Into Shape for
Early Consideration

dent Wilson urging both democratic
and republican members of the house
military committee to hasten prepara-
tlon Of bills to carry out the army's $
part in the national preparedness
scheme indications tonight were that
the measures might be ready for the
house within two weeks
Hearing will come to a close tomor-
row or next day and it is understood
the main features Of the bills already
have been whipped into shape in
which it is expected they will receive
virtually the unanimous approval Of
the committee.
The senate committee already has
concluded its hearings on army bills
and will take up the work of draft
ing its proposals for the senate early
next week.
Bills Differ Radically.
Tho bills of the two houses. it is
expected, will differ radically and the
final legislation will be worked out as
n compromise in conference.
Progress was made today on navy
legislation, the measures paving the
way for construction Of battleships 43
and A. 'at navy yards and providing
for 500 additional midshlpmen in the
July class at Annapolis being passed
by the senate They passed the house
today and lack only the president s
signature to become law Speaker
Clark, in line with his recent speech
in the house advocating that the per-
sonnel at both Annapolis and West
Point be doubled introduced bill to-
day to make sueh an increase in the
number Of cadets at the military
academy.
Conference at White House.
Chairman Hay, Of the house military
committee. and several Of his demo-
cratic colleagues discussed army plans
with President Wilson during tho day.
ut the presidents suggestion Tomor-
row Representative Kahn ranking re-
publican member and others Of the
minority will go to the White House
on the same GRAND
It was evident in later proceedings
of the committee that Representative
lay had not been swayed from his
opposition to Secretary Garrisdn's pro-
posal for continental army which
the president advocated during his re-
cent preparedness campaign trip to
the middle west A witness before the
committee said he was opposed to the
plan. 80 am L." Mr.. Hay
I'VE all are"
To Fcderalize National Guard.
Democrats and republicans of the
committee agreed tonight in saying
that an army bill would be written
quickly, although there might be minor
details which would take considerable
debate to settle. The feature of the
house bill, it was said, would be fed
of the national guard
through a pay bill carrying limita-
tons designed to give the war depart
ment peace time control Of training
and differing of the national guard. |
Adjutant General Foster. of tho
Florida National guard, chairman of
The executive committee Of the Ma
lional guard association, again was in
Washington tonight and II was under
stood he would be further consulted
in order that the bill might be made
acceptable to the state troops
Draft Feature likely.
Coupled with the pay feature Of the
dill probably will be Chairman Hays
plan to authorize the president to
iraft national guardsmen into the fed
,ral service Immediately in time of
war This is designed to settle any
snflict of authority which might
rise and also to insure the whole
Of the guard will be avail
ible for federal uses the number not
being dependent as now upon how
many volunteers.
For the regular army bill probably
will provide the 200, 900 men.
representative Hay proposes to fill
'xisting regiments up to fun war ,
trength and increase only the number
# artillery regiments; while Secretary
Garrison has asked for additional sltel-
ton remnants of infantry and artillery
o make up tactical divisions.
struggle Over Munitions.
An element of the committee favors |
Of the practice Of govern !
nent manufacture Of army munitions ,
md on this aspect Of the plans the ,
committee will face a struggle within
Is own ranks Some members believe {
hose favorng the war departments
ttitude Of providing work enough for
private plants to insure "A big war
ime production capacity have votes /
noueh 10 secure this end in the bill. ,
The house naval committee con- {
inucd its struggle today over details /
Il navy personnel problems, with Rear {
ADMIRAL Blue. chief of the bureau of ]
navigation, still on the stand. y