El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-19
GREATER ARMY
BILL IS RUSHED
Senate Measure Creating
Peace Army of Million
Men Goes to House.


Washington D. c. April 19.-The
army reorganization bill, passed by the
senate last night. went To the house
today where conference may be
4 asked Tor on the measure
The till is substitute for the Hay
piH passed by the house and would pro-
duce regular and reserve forces in the
men.
The senate had hastened completion
of the bill amid scenes OF excitement,
I repeatedly rejecting all amendments
tending to reduce the proposed
strengthening of the army
In the closing hours of debate the
senate made provision for a regular
standing army with a peace strength
of 100000 men. as compared with no.
600 in the Hay bill. which passed the
house, and retained. after a close fight,
the plan for federal volunteer army
reserve force calculated to aggregate
26l0O0 men and federalized the nation
al guard forces of the states to a
strength Of 100000 men.
Gives Peace Army Exceeding Million.
In addition TO this combined regular
and reserve force Of 100000 men an
amendment was adopted to create
school and college youths reserve corps
in time of war or threatened. war
which would recruit a force Of trained
young men, schooled by officers of the
regular army, the estimated strength
OF which is estimated anywhere from
100000 TO 100000
We are creating peace army Of
million men," declared senator Meyrs
in supporting an amendment of senator
Reed to make the regular army 200 600.
The senate had agreed previously, by
vote Of 4S to 81, to an amendment by
senator Brandegee. increasing it from
the proposed strength Of 10000 to ESQ.,
coo. The Rex reduction proposal was
rejected. AZ to 81, after a brief speech
by senator Williams
seriously Threatened, Says williams.
Are we or are We not threatened
with ware" asked senator Williams.
If the army cannot exceed a certain
number except in a state of threatened
war, we are now in a state of threat
ened war if the president Of the United
States thinks so. For myself I think
we are pretty seriously threatened
with international difficulties. both
both from the east and the SOUTH
New Features of Bill.
Important provisions or the senate
bill, not in the house measure. include
the following;
Appropriation of $4,000. OO0 for con-
struction Of government plants for pro-
duction Of nitrates to be used in man
ufacture of ammunition.
\ provision for vocational education
of enlisted men Of the regular army,
compelling instructions either in agri-
culture or the mechanical arts.
Creation Of a national guard section
=
requiring all officers and enlisted men
Of the national guard to subscribe to
an oath to support the United States as
well as the respective states.
Provision for federal protection Of all
national guard officers above the rank
Of captain.
One feature Of the senate bill that
even its most ardent champions fear
may be sacrificed in the legislative
committee comprises the volunteer
army reserve force. but in that event
they confidently expect that the school
reserve viii be retained as a substitute.
Reserve Force Of College Youths.
An amendment adopted would create
q reserve regular army force in time
Of war TO be composed Of school and
college youths and to provide a means
OF recruiting the proposed volunteer !
army force. The proposal submitted by /
senator Hardwick, was agreed to. Sc /
to "a.
The senate agreed 10 an amendment I
reducing the proposed term Of enlist |
ment in the regular army from seven to /
i've years and the proposed term with /
the colors from four to two. thus Civ |
ing each enlisted man three years in 1
The regular reserve.
Senator Cummins's amendment to in
crease the number Of officers in the /
ordnance department to 126, instead of /
the 50, at present, or 109 provided for /
in the bill. was defeated, as was the l
hitchcock amendment to fix the Num- I
Der Of officers on the general staff at /
81, instead Of at 80, as at present, or 81 {
as provided in the bill
An amendment by senator Reed pro-
mbiung enlisted men from leaving their /
position to engage in any civil suit was /
passed.
Upon motion Of senator Thompson.
an amendment was adopted making il |
a criminal offence for civilians. with /
certain exceptions. to wear an army
unltormi or to refuse admission to /
places of public entertainment to en-
listed men in uniform.
Another amendment adopted would
require generals OF the national guard /
20 be residents of the state or territory
IN which they are appointed.