Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-04
Senate COMMITTEES for Keal Preparedness

Senate Committee for Real Preparedness
a SSUMlNG. for the moment, that the in
1 crease in the size of the standing army
already provided is sufficient for the regular
establishment. and that the present cnroll-
ment oil the National Guard is satisfactory. it
is still essential that the military forces OF
the country, including regulars and guards
men. shall be properly equipped for modern
warfare. This the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs fully realizes and it pur-
poses going before the Congress with q pro-
gram designed to meet the requirements Of
the troops now organized aud contemp a ted
In almost every department of military
service. the Senate committee has materially
increased the appropriation for the cores
ponding purpose made by the House bill
The latter made provision for s1S2, 900;
il is estimated the Senate committees pro-
gram will carry at least $4,000 900 more.
And as is the case with the plans for a
greater navy in shorter period, the country
at large will unhesitatingly indorsc the Sen
ale committees plans.
II only war with Mexico had to he prepared
for the House scheme might be adequate
But preparedness for war with any frst-class
power, which, after ALL the country has in
mind when 1t insists that Congress shall pro-
vide for defense, cannot be effected by half
measures. Although the appropriations
recommended by the Senate committee fall
Department, particularly as the National
Guard and its equipment affected, they
al any rate provide all the money that could
be usefully expended this year, and therefore
are reasonable
For target practice. for small arms and
machine guns, the Senate committee more
than doubles the House appropriation setting
aside S3,494,000 for that purpose: 1t has al
most trebed the sum recommended for small
lrp mi Il l.
the House allowance OF s6.000,000 for ord
nance stores and supplies, including horses
for the cavalry When the scarcity OF horses
and the urgent demand for them al this time
are taken into consideration, it is apparent
that The committees recommendation is
moderate.
In view OF the unsatisfactory experiences
OF our troops in Mexico with the present ma
chine gun OF The army. the $1,000 900 pro-
vided by the House did not seem adequate
and the sum was more than treblcd. 1t is
probable, it is understood that an entirely
new type OF gun will be adopted. Nearly
four times the amount appropriated by the
House for armored motor cars and similar
var apparatus included by the Senate
committee which, doubtless, had in mind the
effectiveness displayed by this type in the
European war. The National Guards allow
ance for artillery and artillery ammunition
was also nearly doubled.
Most striking, perhaps, Of all the increases
II that for the Signal Corps and aviation sec.
lions. which the Senate committee Increased
from S3.115,000 TO 14,S27,000 most of
which goes 10 the aviation section Ii is evil
dent that the Senate committee advocates the
policy Of rendering efficient what we have
and OF providing the essentials We lack
There will he discussion i'm the Senate doubt
less and conflict with the House. but the
country demands preparedness, and its senti-
ment Will eventually prevail.