The Washington herald., 1916-07-29

The passage Of the army approprla-
tions bill yesterday, brought two distinct
surprises. The first was the deteat OF
the amendment offered by Senator heed
TO permit the soldiers in Mexico ana on
border duty to vote without the necessity
, Of returning to their homes. The second
was the passing Of the amendment Oh
fered by Senator LaFollette approprlat-
ing a sum to he paid to dependent rela-
tives OF Guardsmen on border duty not
to exceed SO for each family per month'
Before 1t was passed, however. the
amendment was changed to include the
dependent relatives of regulars.
The defeat of the vote taking amend
ment came about in a peculiar manner.
The army bill had passed from the com
mittee on the whole to the Senate for
further consideration. and its parha-
mentary status was such that the amend
ments agreed to in the committee were
subject to ratification by the Senate.
senator Jones. Of Washington, express
ed the opinion that the Reed amendment
should provide registration. Senator
Williams opposed and said if the matter
was to be reopened he would make
point of order against the amendment
After some discussion the point was
made and the Vice President promptly
upheld it on the grounds that the amend
ment was new and general legislation on
Z
the rules of the Senate. Senator Reed
, appealed, but was defeated.
A large diversity of opinion among the
members of the Senate and members OF
the House, was apparent in the final
passage Of the bill. Where the House
voted $500 600 for armored motor cars, the
Senate raised it to 100000. The House
voted $500 900 for field artillery, and the
{ 1i1O nd ha :
for munitions. Plattsburg and other citi-
zens' camps was given 5000 900 by the
House and $i.3O0,COO by the Senate. For
dependents of soldiers. the House voted
nothing, while the Senate amendment
carried 100000.
The diversity of opinion was further
shown when the Senate struck out the
provision by the House for a council
OF executive information to consist of
six members OF the Cabinet and an ad
visory commission of not more than seven
members. and inserted a clause providing
for a council OF rational defense for the
coordination OF industries and resources
TO be composed OF the Secretaries Of State,
War and Navy. the chief of stan of the
army. an officer Of the navy not below
the rank OF captain and six persons to be
appointed by the President
While the bill was in the Senate. the
age limit of q vas restored in place
Of IS years, as provided for in the
recently enacted army reorganization
bill.
The debate in the Senate on the naval
appropriation bill also produced some Pc
culiar situations. One, especially, oc-
CURED when the clause was taken up
which directs and authorizes the Secretary
of War and the Secretary OF the Navy to
report to Congress by December 4, spe-
cifc plans for the cost Of Improvement
of the harbors which will best provide
adequate facilities for operations OF the
fleets at places named. About sixteen on
the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts were
mentioned.
Senator Penrose insisted that Philadel-
phia be included and this was done. Then
Senator Swanson expressed the desire
to see the names OF Camden. n. j., and
Wilmington, Del, In the list and Sena-
tor Sheppard requested that six cities in
his State be included. Senator Vards-
man obtained the admission of two cities
in Mississippi
The end came when Senator Overman
requested the admission of Wilmington.
n. c., on the grounds that 'it was the