Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-17

- Washington March 17.-The house
today began consideration of the army
bill. II possible a final vote will be
reached tomorrow night.
Forty speakers have asked for time,
republicans and dernocra4s heine
equally represented on the list.
When the dSbate beganSno ppnone emf
-od OF the general plan. Of preparedness
salnad asked to tsss heard. ..ss s s,
ehairnen Hay ,sof the military com
mittee, and Representative Kahn,
ranking republican member, fappor-
toned the ten hours of debate euua1)v
q SO, far as known no one will oppose
the measure, but several favor q larger
standing army.
= Speaker Clark, who will deliver an
ADDRESS IN support of the measure,
surrendered the chair to, Representa-
tive Garet, of Tennessee, at the be-
ginning of the debate.
Representative Gordon. democrat NJ
on1o, LED OF for the bill. He had been
nsted as an nti-preparedness man,
'pus explained today that his opposi-
lion was only to a great standing army.
limit OF Peace Time Recruitment.
) Representative Hay told the house
the ract that the committee had
reached a unanimous report on the
Dill indicated the feeling of the country
on 'the vital subject of preparing. In
fixing 100000 men as the strength Of
the army. he said, the committee had
gone to what war department officials
had testified was the limit Of peace
tins recruitment.
A force Of 250,000 regulars would
mean compulsory service. to which the
country was opposed. and an annual
expenditure of s750,000 for the army
alone.
= "Of course Mr.. Hay said. if it
came to war, congress would 20 to any
extent"
& Applause greeted the statement.
Representative Kahn interrupted to
point out that while the bill provided
for a peace strength of 100000 fighting
men, in the imminence of war the
president could bring it up to more
than ITO ooo exclusive OF auxiliary
troops.
Opposes Two-Year Enlistment.
IL do not believe" Mr.. Hay said
shat the two year enlistment would
be a good thing. Half the time the
army would be composed largely Of
half baked recruits, Those who ad-
vocate the short term enlistment also
desire no re-enlistment.. The back
bone Of the army today is the non-
Commissioned officer. ~. >.
The proposed increase in the army,
he explained, could be accomplished
thru four-year enlistment as pro-
posed in the bill. He explained the
plan to federalize the national guard.
He contended congress had full con-
stitutional power to do it. 81 j., --. -s
1--WE provide that the national guard
can be mobilized at once, in time Of
va without delay ara :..:..hha:t co:-
fusion Of Spanish war days Il do not
think any question will arise as to the
powers of congress-. But IL they do
arise the bill will stand the test. The
president will have power to send the
guard anywhere. he can send the regu-
lar army" .Z7t ..
~ Hitchcock Filss Minority Report. :
: Senator Hitchcock. democrat, sub
mitted q minority report OF his own,
when the senate COMMITTEES reported
the army bill. s..s. r5 e. tszTsP5ag5
i. II do not feel justified in Joining my
colleagues on the recommendation that
the standing army be increased IS per
cent" Mr.. Hitchcock stated, 'even tho
that increase be distr>eSied over five
Years. In my opinion the increase is
about twice as much as It shcrld he.
1t would give us an army Of $4,000
men when enlisted to sull strength
Z IAN effort to pass bill practically
ito double the number of cadets at West
Point, was blocked by objections by
Senator Jones. rs;f,.sh lice zss;5
* There are 5000 places in New York
City which have eWosor more bowling
alleys Each,