Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-10
BILLS OF TWO HOUSES OFFER
Final Legislation Will Probably
BE Worked Out as a COmpro-
mise in COnference-PrOmi-
nent in House Bill Will BE
liberalization of Militia.

Washington. Feb. with President
Wilson personally urging both democratic
and republican members Of tho House
military committee to hasten preparations
the national preparedness scheme, indica-
tons tonight were that the measures
might he ready for the House within two
weeks or less.
Hearings will come to 4 close tomorrow
or next day and it is understood the
main features Of the bills already have
been whipped into the shape in which
it is expected they will receive virtually
the unanimous approval of the committee
The Senate committee already has con-
cluded it's hearings on army bills and will
take up the work Of drafting its proposals
for the Senate early next week There
also the general outline of the plan to
be recommended has crystallized in the
minds of the members.
The bills of the two houses it is ex-
pected will differ radically and the final
legislation will he worked out as a COM
promise in conference.
Prosress also was made to-day on navy
for construction of battleships 80 and =:
at navy yards and providing for 800 addi-
tional midshipmen in the July class at
Anna polls having been passed by the Sen
ate They passed the House yesterday
and lack only the Presidents signature
to become law. Speaker Clark in line with
his recent speech in the House advocat-
| ing that the personnel at both Annapolis
and West Point be doubled. introduced
bill to-day to make such an increase in
the number of cadets at the military
academy.
| Chairman Hay of the House military
committee and several of his democratic
/ colleagues discussed army plans with
| President Wilson during the day a. the
Prcsdcnts suggestion. Tomorrow Rep
| roscntativc Kahn. ranking republican
member. and other Of the minority will
go to the White House on the same
erraud II is understood the President
was pleased with the report on progress
chairman Hay was able to give him.
1t was evident, however. in later pro-
cccdines OF the committee that Repre-
sentative Hay has not been swayed from
his opposition to Secretary Garrison =
! proposal for continental amy, which
tho President warmly advocated during
his recent preparedness campaign "trip
to the Middle West 4 witness before the
committee said he was opposed 20 the
continental plan.
so am r. intericcted Mr. Hay We
all are"
The feature of the House hill. il was
said would be fedora ization of the mill
tia through pay bill carrying lim-
tatious designed to give the war de-
, partmout peace time control Of training z
and offering of tho National Guard,
Coupled with the pay feature of the
bill probably will he Chairman HAYS
plan 10 authorize the President to draft
national guardsmen into the federal serv-
, ice Immediately in time OF war.
For tho regular army the bill prob
, ably will provide the 10000 additional
mon asked for by Secretary Garrison
although the committee is said 10 h'
about equally divided on tho Hay and
C;arrison plans for making the increase
Representative Hay proposes 10 fill ex-
, istinE regiments up to full war strength
and increase only tho number Of artil'
lery regiments; while Secretary Garrison
has asked for additional skeleton reCi'
mcnts of infantry and artillery 70 make
up the tactical divisions.