Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-22
GENERAL STAFF BILL
Continued from Page One)

Representative Mcclellan declared he
was lone American who did not wish
to follow the example of Germany and
France in raising and training armies.
When Rep. Quinn put question to the
witness on the assumption that Con-
gress might pass such bill, Rep. Nc
kellar interjected: You need not fear.
1t will not" 1T won't except over my
vote" Rep. Quinn added.
Proportionate Cost Less
The probable nature of the new bill
being drafted by committee from the
general staff was not disclosed by Gen.
Scott, who also refused to estimate
the cost of such system. except to
say that proportionately it would be
much less than the expense of the vol
unteer method of training troops. 1t is
known, however. that the possibility of
welding into the new project the va
rious sections of the defense act deal
ing with industrial organization for
war purposes, the right to take over
and operate manufacturing plants.
railways and other peace time agen-
cies, is under consideration.
Secretary Baker told the committee
recently he was undecided as between
universal military service and system
of selective CONSUMPTION. the latter plan
being understood to include the indus
trial as we'll as the military services.
When Gen. Scott said that many men,
bers Of the national guard believed in
universal service Rep. Mcclellan inter-
ruptcd That may be because you are
keeping them on the border at police
duty. l get letters every day indicating
that many of them believe they are not
fairly treated. The great body of tho
guard want to do their duty"
Il think that is So" said General
Scott.
Then why not give this new system
a fair trial before you condemn it?"
we are giving it a fair trial and
working in good faith to get the best
results from it,"
DO you think we will ever get the
kind Of an army we should have as long
as high officers of the regular army re-
fuse to bow to the mandates of Com
gress?" insisted Rep. Mcclellan. sss
You are condemning the system be5
fore it gets started. Do you think IT ~
a good thing for generals of the army
to be coming out with reports and nevis
paper and magazine articles kn6cking
the SYSTEM" ssS
Not Militarism
II was sent here by the President and
the secretary of war to present my
views" replied Gen. Scott.
How close will this system you have
proposed bring US to militarism?" asked
Rep. Littlepage. y i.
absolutely away from it," answered
the officer. "It'ssa democratic system"
8 Representative shaAenberger asked
sf1tt was not true that every attempts In
1l4fcry to send urge invading forces
1yI<1eas had failod. ~
\ HI instanced the positionsof the En-
.tente armies at Salopild, saying: They
have not beensabl4 10 gain Y foot Of
ground against q q e nation hke Bull
gurie-" : !. * s,..Ss
.That is becans the trained SOL,
aiiers thai face tA said Gen. Scott.
IF we hadStraf1 soldiers we would
do the same hiQa
The subiedk nmmer training
camps was hf6SEhX 10y Rep. WISE.
who, said the def |hent Had not ex-
acted from mena 1l1ts traind the obli-
CATION, for army service in the event
Of war authorized by the national de-
The war department. appears to
havesaisregarded the mandates Of Con-
gresJ, remarked Rep. Mcclellan.
General Scott said the training camp
.ne0ulatfons were being formulated.
4 neaf SCOTS statement of the fall
Ne the war department to recruit