New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-03
House Committee Raises
Maximum Strength in
Final Decision on Bill.
FLETCHER PRAISES
NAVY'S EFFICIENCY
Admiral Says US. Dreadnoughts
Lead World in Individual
Fighting Power.

Washington, March Final agree
ment was reached by the House Mill
tary Committee late to-day on its bill
for the increase OF the army, and It viii
be reported unanimously to the House
early next week In round figures the
measure would authorize the formation
Of an army composed cf regulars ma
tional guardsmen and federal volun-
teers. with d total peace strength Of
approximately 100000 men.
The bill provides for maximum
strength OF 10000 fighting troops Tor
the regular army. for q minimum o.
425.OOO for the national guard Wlthln
five wears. and for organization OF led
eral volunteers through an extension
Of a summer training camp idea. IT Is
estimated that 100000 men can be en-
rolled In the after force.
The bill retains provision for organ
ization of industrial and technical re,
serves behind the fighting lines and
authorizes the creation Of board OF
officers 20 control an industrial moplll-
lization in time OF war or lmminence
of war II also provides that manu-
facturers Of war materials must give
immediate preference 70 government
orders in war time. or when there Is
danger Of war, under heavy penalty for
failure TO do so.
Maximum. Raised to 10000.
While the minimum strength Of the
regular army remained at 100000
change was made before the final vote
10 fix the maximum Of fighting troops
at 10000. bringing the total author
lied strength Of the regular force. IN
GLIDING the hospital corps and other
non -combatant troops. 20 10000.
The committee decided not TO provide
specifically for the construction ~ a
plant 70 manufacture nitric acid from
the air. a general provision authoriz-
ING the government 10 construct plant
for this purpose with water, steam or
other mower was inserted in the meas
ure. however. and the details Will be
worked out Letter in an appropriation
measure
While all members of the committee
will sign the bill. they DO so under the
reservation that they may support on
the floor of the House any amendment
they desire
The Senate Military Committee ex--
poets TO vote finally on rs army Dill
tomorrow. and IL is possible the first
Of the preparedness measures urged
by President Wilson viii be placed
before both houses OF Congress Sat
urday. Arrangements 20 expedite their
consideration already have been made.
Fletcher Praises Navy.
An encouraging report on the con-
dition and efficiency Of the nations sea
forces was given to the House Naval
Committee to-day by Admiral Frank
Fletcher. commandor-in-ch Of the
Atlantic fleet. In individual lighting
efficiency. Admiral Fletcher declared,
the dreadnoughts Of the United states
led the world. while In the skill of ITS
officers and men the navy had no rea-.
son TO fear comparison with tnat OF
any other power.
describing some Of the things the
navy is doing in the light OF less ons OF
the European war, the admiral said ont,
shin Of the feet recently had hurled
seven out Of forty-two huge proJectlles
through a target 20XG0 feet at range
eight 10 nine miles. or 5000 70 lS,O0O
vards. The longest ranges used IN
naval engagements Of the European
war thus far, he explained, were lo,OoO
to 1900 yards.
Judging from reports from various
shIps which have been engaged IN tar
Get practice a. Guantanamo during me
last month, Admiral Fletcher SAID II
was probable that from 10 to 20 per
con, Of the shots fred could be landed
On a battleship at $4,000 yards. lie
described the increased difficulties or
long range firing. due largely to the
fact that inherent errors IN guhlre
seriously affect results at short dis
tances. are greatly magnifed as the
To bring out the effectiveness, Of
naval shells, Admiral Fletcher told OF
target work by the Myom'H ,grn a"S, sS yeG
penetrated l0-inch armOr plate. FIVE
out Of thirty-six shots fired, he said,
struck the small target, and from 80