Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-05
FIRST OF DEFENSE BILLS
INTRODUCED IN SENATE
Proposes Most Thorough Measures
Of Preparedness Ever Presented
in Peace Times.
PART OF WILSON'S PROGRAM
Would Increase Strength of Regular
Army to 1TS,OO0 Men. Federalize
National Guard and Create Fed
eral Volunteer Army.

WASHINGTON. March i--Thc first
of the national preparedness measures
TO reach either house Of Congress for
consideration was introduced in the
Senate to-day by Senator Chamberlain,
chairman OF the Military Committee.
which perfected it after weeks Of hear
ines and conferences It proposes an
even more sweeping change in military
policy than that outlined hy President
Wilson in his annual message. and was
described by Mr.. Chamberlain as the
most comprehensive piece OF military
legislation ever offered in Congress.
All of the elements of The admiuis-
tration's army plan prepared by former
Secretary Garrison ar" retained. al
though in altered form. and by ahdi-
tional proposals for organization OF i'm
dustrial reserves i'll peace times goes
even further than the administration
had suggested
The House committees bill Will nc
introduced on Monday. There is no
vital difference between the two meas
urcs. and both committees believe that
when the final bill. which will be
agreed upon in Joint conference COM
n,ittee. has passed both houses. the
President viii lc able to atliN his sigma
ture to measure that Will do more
than he has asked toward buildin. up
an adequate national defense.
FOUR STRIKING FEATURES
IN SENATE: ARMY hill
Aside from its plan virtually to
double the regular army anh National
Guard, the Senate bill has four strik-
ing features They are.
Authorization of purely Federal
N-,,l E,,,.
icct sought by Secretary Garrison in
urging The continental army plan
Authorization for q definitely en-
listed reserve in peace times among
men OF every profession or calling
whose training tits them for special
duty either with troops. on lines Of
communication or supply or in MAJ
chin" shops aud nunitioH plants.
LIBERALIZATION OF the National Guard
under pay provision. designed to
bring this force immediately into such
relations with the Federal government
that it's training, equipment and per
Sonncl Will be under supervision of the
War Department.
Authorization for an officers reserve
and a reserve officers training corps.
which would take in graduates from
military schools and colleges and pro-
vide for their further development TO
command.
For the regular army the hll pro-
vidcS peace strength within five
years of lTS,0O0 men of all arms. or
approximately $1,000 lighting troops
The percentage Of men in each com
pany. battery or troop at peace strength
would bc increased in tho interests Of
efficiency. and the full war strength
would he 22a0oo The army would
consist of siNty-fivc infantry. twcnty-
five cavalry and twenty -onc field ar
tilicry regiments. in addition to tho
staff and other special corps and the
Coast Artillery The mobile army in
continental United States would consist
OF four infantry divisions and two di-
visions OF cavalry. Corresponding in
crcascs in tho number OF gcncral-of-
ficers would be made. and the rank and
pay OF lieutenant general would he
given to the chief Of stam
The bill provides for complete rcor-
CONTINUED on Fourteenth Page)