Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-10
ARMY BILL. ALMOST
READY FOR HOUSE
Main Features Already Whipped
Into Shape With Com
mittee Approval.
HAY CONFERS WITH WILSON
Final Legislation Will Be Worked
Out as Compromise in
Conferences.

WASHINGTON. February 9.-W:th
President Wilson personally urging
both Democratic and Republican nlcm-
bers OF the House Military COMMITTEES
to hasten preparation OF bills to carry
out the arrnys part in tho national
preparedness scheme, indications to-
night were that tho measures might
be ready for the House within two
weeks or less.
Hearings will come to close to-
morrow or the next day. and II is un-
derstood the main features OF the bill
already have been whipped into shape,
which it is expected will have virtually
the unanimous approval of the COM
Inittcc.
The Senate committee already haa
concluded it's hearings on army bills,
and will take up the work OF drafting
it's proposals for the Senate early next
week
There also the general outline Of the
plan to be recommended has crystal
lizcd in tho minds OF the members.
The bills OF the two houses it Is OK
pectcd, will differ radically, and the
final legislation will be worked out as
compromise in conference.
Progress also was made to-day on
navy legislation. the measures paving
the way for construction of battlcships
~ and a at navy-yards and providing
for 800 additional midshjpmcn in the
july class at Annapolis being passed
by the Senate. They passed the House
yesterday. and lack only the Prcsi-
dents signature" to become law
Speaker Clark, In line with his recent
speech In the House advocating that
the personnel at both Annapolis and
West Point be doubled, introduced a
bill to-day to make such an increase
In tho number OF cadets Mt the Mill
tary Academy.
HAY DISCUSSES PLANS
WITH PRESIDENT WILSON
mittee. and several of his Democra tic
colleagues. discussed army plans with
President Wilson during the day. at
President Wilson'S suggestion. To-
morrow Representative Kahn. ranking
Republican member. ana others of the
minority will go to the White House
on tho same errand. 1t is understood
the President was pleased with the
report on progress Chairman Hay was
able to give him.
IT was evident. however, in lattor
proceedings Of the committee that
Representative Hay had not been
swayed from his opposition to Secretary
Garrison's proposal for continental
army, which the President warmly
advocated during his recent prepared
ness campaign trip TO the Middle West
y witness before the committee said
he was opposed to the continental plan.
so am J." interjected Mr.. Hay. Eve
are all"
Democrats and Republicans Of he
committee agreed tonight in saving
that the army bill would be quickly
written. although there might he
minor details which would take con-
siderable debate to settle. The f.,
ture Of the House bill. it was said.
would he liberalization Of the militi,
through pay bill carrying Limitations
designed TO give the War Department
control in peace times over the troinin-
and offering of the National Guard.
Adjntant General Foster, of the Flor
lua Natlnnal Guard chairman Of tho
executive committee OF the Natioral
Gnard Association. was again In
washington tonight, and it was nm
derstood he would he further consulted.
in order that the bill NIGH, be madc
acceptable 10 the state soldiers.
DESIGNED TO SETTLE
CONFLICT IN AUTHORITY
Coupled with the pay feature of the
bill probably will bo Chairman Hays
plan to authorize the President to draft
Suardsmen into the Federal
service Immediately in time of war
This IL designed 10 settle any conflict
OF authority that might arise, and also |
TO insure that the whole membership OF
tho guard will be available for Federal
uses, the number not being dependent,
as now, upon how many volunteer.
For the regular army tho bill prob |
ably will provide 10000 additional men