Gilpin observer., 1916-02-24
WASHINGTON news
BY Edward Heating.


2s served to clear the poItical at-
mosphere in WasLic gtcn, ard t3e
committees CT tile house and senate
will soon submit tLeir ideas concern
ing National Detel Sc" Strange as
it may seem, men of all parties agree
that the departure of tie late secre-
tary of war has strengthened the
presidents hands.
Mr.. Garris on did not get along
we'll with congress. At the very be-
ginning of this session he appeared
before the House Military Affairs
Committee and frankly proclaimed
his belief in universal, compulsory
military service. He was followed by
many Of his closest advisers i'm the
war department and almost without
exception tfey took the same posi-
ton. Then it developed tlat he was
opposed to, CIR at last lukewarm to-
ward government ownership Of muni-
items factories.
Compulsory Service Impossible.
To say that the average member
of congress was shocked by the sec
retary's expression of views is PUT
ting it rather mildly. Congress is
not prepared to seriously consider
universal compu's soy military ser
vice. Such a proposition could not
command twenty votes in the house
and it would receive nightly few in
the senate.
l do not wish to be understood
as saying that Mr.. Garrison advocat-
ed the adoption of such a program
at this time, but lie made it pretty
clear that that was his IDEAL and
IL at 1t NJ ght be pressed if his con
tinentaa army pan failed
The immediate result OF the sec
retary's declaration was to create an
impossible gulf betw cen the war de-
partment and congress. Tie se1re-
tary was regarded as a militarist,
who, if he Lad a chance, would
turn the country into an armed camp.
Tie presidents eren les took advant-
age of the opportunity to arouse feel
ing agairst tie c igf executive. 1t
wss coc.ended that tie secretary of
w3r was the pre- esiderts Spokesman
and that wilson endorsed all the
views so frankly put forth by Car
rison.
Wilson Refuees to Dictate.
Then came tie secretary's reisgna-
S;o 4. Il, q l.n
re e-ponde nee between Mr.. Garrison
and his chief. ] think those who
have read these letters will agree
tLat the preside mt handled himself
in mastery style. He refused TO
assume the role CT dictator and sn-
nounced his determination to confer
with, not to coerce, congress.
The attitude of congress underwear
an immediate cha: gs. The House
Committee Ga mi itary affairs ADOPT
ed resolutions tta,k ng the president
and settled down to earnest work on
the military bill, and the Senate
Committee cn military affairs follow
cd suit
Enough Las developed to justify
one in hazard!rg a guess as to the
kind of Preparedness" program that
will be presented to tie houss.
The s.andirg army will be in
creased to 10000 or 100000 men,
| That will be an increase CT about
thirty per cent. Provision will be
made for very large increase in
the number of Officers. The state
cry way. Officers and men will be
paid a stated amount fer each drill,
tie equipment and discipline will be
brought to the regular army stand
ards and in that way it is hoped to
provide an efficient fighting force
of from 25O 900 to 100000 men.
Continental Army Abandoned.
The continental army scheme will
be abandoned and. Of course. COM
pulsory military service will not be
considered.
1t has been suggetstd that under
the new regulations the militia should
be relieved cf 'Strike Duty" THIS
suggestion comes from prominent
National Guard Officers all over the
country. Three or four officers of
| the Colorado Guard have written me
in support of the proposition. They
argue that so lorg as the guard is
used in industrial conflicts members
of organized labor will refuse to
join and the nation will be depriv-
ed of their services.
There will be marked increase
in the navy-such an increase as
will settle for all time Its right TO
claim second place among the nav
les of tie world.
Raising New Revenue.