Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-12
Nom -Partisan Feeling

The non partisan character of the
feeling was emphasized by the fact
that the resolution was offered by Rep.
hahn of California, ranking Republic
can member of the committee. Mem
oers OF both the congressional COM
mittees declared that the war secre-
tary's withdrawal had brought out
sharply the Presidents desire that
Congress should work out its armv
problems in the light of it's own best
Judgment despite his personal pref
erence for the continental armv
scheme advocated by Mr.. Garrison and
the army war college. The net result.
they agreed, was a Qualification of the
congressional atmosphere and the as
surance of support for the bills that
will be drafted from elements of both
the Democratic and Republican sides
that had heretofore been counted
against the measures.
liberalization Of Guard
In substance, it is believed the bill1
will represent an effort to make ef-
fective virtually all Of the plans jf
the War department with the exceD-
ton that liberalization of the National
Guard would be sought as a substitute
for the continental army PLAN
Final steps toward beginning the
drafting of the measures were taken
up today by both House and Senate
committees. Both will take up the
work Monday and it is planned to hold
all-day sessions whenever the bust
ness Of the two houses will permit
The House committee brought to a
close today public hearings on army
plans and ordered an elaborate in
dex Of the voluminous testimony so
there would be as little delay as pos
sible in either committee. Similar
steps were taken by the Senate COM
mittee. Present indications are that
the House bill will lay it's stress upon
provisions designed to federalize the
National Guard while the Senate COM
mittee's main effort will go into the
regular army angles Of preparedness
plans. The final measures sent to the
President for his signature will be
compromise, it is thought, each house
being willing to accept the judgment
Of the other to a large extent in it's
own particular field.
Recruiting Of 100000
The House bill. it is expected, will pro-
vide for payment Of national guardsmen
who comply with all regulations laid
down by Congress on a basis sufficiently
liberal to insure the recruiting Of APP
proximately 100000 men, the ultimate sise
Of the proposed continental army. To
make certain the availability for federal
use in time of war or great emergency
of all men who participate in this pay
ment, the plan contemplates authorizing
the President to draft them into a volun.
teer army.
Members of the committee are virtual
ly unanimous in the opinion that Cor.
gress has full constitutional authority to
enact such a measure and that it can be
so formulated as to Withstand any at
tack through the courts.
The system Of regulation contemplated
is Of a broad character designed to pro-
vide for the training and discipline Of the
guardsmen in peace time in a way that
will insure efficient organizations for 70,
untcer war service Only the admin
. tration of the Law ,NoDId De iext ~. 'ne
war department. Il Is proposed al-o :.
provide under the3e regulations for ,ns
| coordination OK enlistment periods phys
ical standards and the examinations
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