Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-02
Inserted into House Military
Committees Program w a +
Department Left to Work out
Details in Actual Practice
EXPECT COMPLETION
OF MEASURE TO-DAY
Another Change to BE Proposed
Would Provide for Maximum
Peace Strength of 100000 Men

WASHINGTON. March l.-LeglSldtlNe
framework for a far-reaChing industri-
al and technical reserve to support the
nations. fighting lines i'll war time was
sketched into the House military com
mittee's program today. 1t was sug-
gested by Rep. Kahn of California as
an amendment to the provision IN the
pending army increase bill for quar-
termaster'S corps reserve and was
+ adopted without objection. The plan
not only contemplateS an effort TO en-
list in the reserve in peace time team
STEERS, mechanics. railroad men. chauf-
feurs and other no-combatant forces
necessary to an army. but extends the
SCOPE of the reserve system to include
civilian aviators. ordnance engineers
workers in munition plants. telephone
and telegraph operators and mechan-
les, civil engineers, electrical engineers
and members of every other civil pro-
fesson or occupation whose services
would he useful to the army in war.
General Authorization
It is understood Il general authorize
alton will be included in the bill, the
war department being left to work out
the details in actual practice. Reserv-
lists of this character would be regular
ly enlisted as reserves for the fighting
arms, and would he liable for assign
ment to duty by the war department
in time Of war
The committee worked all day on its
bill, but did not reach final vote 1t
is expected the measur will be COM
~, tod lint n
increase the proposed strength of the
regular army will precede the vote.
The bill already has been altered
slightly in this regard and now spe-
officially provides a minimum strength
of 10000 men in peace times. instead
of the former provision authorizing
peace strength of $4,000 with an al
lowance for recruitment designed to fix
the maximum at $4,000.
Another Change
Another change, it is understood,
Will he proposed tomorrow under
which the maximum peace strength
would he 100000 men. or just double
the present authorized army. Under
this plan it 81 contemplated to vest the
President with authority to bring the
army up to full authorized strength at
any time without specific act of Con-
eress. Will annual appropriation
bills would limit the actual strength
in ordinary times to 100000. the author
ization would permit the President in
the event Of International complica-
tons to build the army up to the full
100000 without attra citing attention or
;,,f Iirlcn,,
tions that might be involved
The Senate committee sent to re-
print today. its plan for liberalization
of the National Guard and probably
will be ready tomorrow or Friday for
final review Of the hill The federal
ization proposals are offered. it is un-
derstcod, only as basis for adjustment
Of this question in the joint confer
ences which will follow passage Of the
bills in the two houses.
Barnett Testifyins
Maj Gen. Barnett. commandment of
the Marine Corps was again before
the House naval committee today dis
GUESSING in detail the needs of the
corps. He probably Will be followed
tomorrow by Admiral Frank Fletcher,
commanding the Atlantic fleet.
General Barnett said that the ma
rine transport authorized three years
ago was now only 40 per cent COM
plete. The present navy transports. he
said. were all converted merchantmen
untitled for the work. He recommend
ed that large calibre howitzers be sub
stituted for five-inch direct fire rifles
in the marine advance base equipment
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