Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-18
Bill Has Full Approval.


Representative Moore of Pennsylva-
MIA, republican, said members on both
sides were eager to know whether the
bill had the full approval of the ad-
ministration.
II am authorized to state" Chairman
Hay replied, that the bill meets with
the approval of the President. 1t is his
bill. 1t carries out the recommends
tions of his message. 1t goes a little
farther"
Mr.. Hay added that while the bill did
vision recommended by former Secre-
tary Garrison and approved by Presi-
dent Wilson. the President was salts
fed that the proposed liberalization of
the National Guard would accomplish
the same purpose.
Voting for Presidents Convictions.
Then" said Mr.. Moore. gentlemen
voting for this bill will be voting for
the Presidents convictions"
They will" Mr.. Hay responded
Representative Fields. democrat. of
Kentucky. who opened the debate. said
the one principle upon which all
defense
In supporting the increase Represen-
tative Smith, democrat. of New York,
said the special act of Congress to OBJ
tain men to cope with the Mexican
improving the national defense.
Same Object Accomplished.
Representative Nichols. democrat, of
South Carolina said the continental
rtnv
to the committee. but the bill substi-
tuted the National Guard for that pro-
posal and accomplished the same OBJ
ject in a practical way.
Army and civilian critics Of the pres
ent army and of the National Guard have
overshot their mark" Representative
II want to say that what army we have
today is the best in the world" he added
For its size no army in the world equals
it,
Backed by the provisions of the bill
Representative Anthony said all the MILL
tary necessities of the nation would be
met with the increases proposed.
Representative Anthony provoked an
argument by stating his personal con-
viction that it was unnecessary to add
any guns or men TO the coast defenses
The bill provides ffty-two additional
Coast Artillery Corps companies, and
best judgment in voting for this sec
tion.
Il am glad you did" interjected Rep
resentative Moore.
Representative Sherley chairman OF
the fortifications committee, said his
seven years study of coast defenses
had convinced him more men were
needed.
Says Bill Is Inadequate.
Representative Mann. the minorit,
leader, in a fifteen minute speech. at.
tackled the bill as being inadequate tt
meet the demands of the present time
1T seems to me-" he said that thi.
bill falls far short of what it ought Il
be az this time.
We having 4 little trouble OF
the border of Mexico. and are sending
few soldiers into that country Th.
time for this came after We had hat
troops on the border for four years IL
contemplation OF that very thing. Ye
when this trouble occurred these troops
were not actually sent across the Dor
der until the House had passed a reso
luton ordering an increase of 20.O0'
men TO take the places of the few sol
diers who perchance might cross.
Never was there a more pat illustra
tion than that Of the fact that the
present army and the proposed increas.
IN il, while sufficient in times of actua
peace would not be sufficient in tim,
OF war, or when any occasion arises fol
even a miniature war, and today w,
have the greatest war of the age,
going on"
Heeded Because Of Power.
In such a war as that in Europe
Representative Mann added. neither
side will he too careful of the interest,
Of outsiders. We constitute the great
est neutral power.
Would either England or German,
Continued on Second Pase)