New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-05
Conferrees Adjourn
When House Men,
bers Won't Yield.
FIGHT WILSON'S
NITRATE PLANT
Representatives Firm in
Opposition to Lobby"
Measure.

Washington, May 4.-Conferrees on
the army reorganization bill disagreed
late to-day on important features of
the measure and adjourned until mat
ters in disagreement can be taken up
in the House. The rock. on which the
committee broke were the Federal vol
unteer army and the sl5,oO0,OOO govern
ment nitrate plant amendments adopted
by the Senate.
Notwithstanding the disagreement
Senator Chamberlain, chairman OF the
Senate conferrees, said tonight that ne
believed a good bill eventually would
be worked out.
"Tbe House conferrees would not
WELD 10 the Senate provision for the
volunteer army or the government nj
trate plant" said the Senator. KEEP
resentative Hay has promised to return
the nitrate plant amendment TO the
House for further instructions. lie
fatty stated, however, that the House
would not accept the volunteer army,
and the Senate conferrees would not re-
csde In view Of the apparent im2asse
tho conference adjourned. not to meet
again until an effort is made TO get
further instructions from the House
We do rsot expect TO take up the dis-
rpted noints in the Senate at this time
because our conferrees are unanimous
and the Senate has already passed on
the subjects in controversy
Progress Made by Conferrees.
In 20 the time Of the break the con-
ferrees had been making good progress
on regular army reorganization and re-
serve features. They had tentatiVely
agreed on a standing army IN time OF
neaee Of 1870 900 men. 10000 more than
the House bill carried, and an elastic
oroanization scheme contained in the
Senate bill which would provide for
expansion in time Of war or threatened
war to 100000 men.
They also had agreed to the mouse
bill reorganization plan for the ma
tional guard. which would provide for
liberalization Of this reserve force and
its expansion TO approximately 4oO'ooV
men. ~, y.
Earlv in the day Chairman Hay DIS
cussed the volunteer army reserve sec.
ton OF the Senate bill with President
Wilson. The President was understood
10 have favored il. Representative nay
ia said TO have told the President that
the House would not accept the yolun-
teer force. This section OF the senate
bill provides for reserve rederal
force OF approximately 100000 cltizen
soldiers, in addition 70 the nanonai
guard.
Opposition to Volunteers.
Champions OF the national guard
feared that the proposed new force
would operate 10 the great disadvsn-
tage Of the guard, and there was strong
opposition TO the plan in both House
end Senate In the Senate the volun-
teer force won by majority OF only
two votes. .
kPDreSeNtaIlNe nay III hl0 N"'''
tho President also discussed the nitrate
plant feature and the President IN
sisted that it should be left in the bill.
This attitude Of the President IS un-
derstood to have helped 70 BRING ABOUT
the disagreement to-day.
In accordance with his pledge to the
House on the nitrate issue, made when
the bill was sent 10 conference, Chair
man Hay could do nothing except ask
the House for further instructions.
II the President continues TO insist
on the nitrate plant provision. II was
declared that another clash between
the Executive and the House would
ensue. Republicans are standing
solidly against the nitrate provision,
insisting that il is being urged by
water power" lobby. Many Demo
Gratis also oppose it. Chairman Hay
said tonight, however. that there was
no ground for the charge that the
water power interests would profit by
the erection of plant.