The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-08
'CONFEREES AGREE. ON $267,59o,0oo
 FOR BIGGER ARMY
New Articles of War, Main Point In Dispute, to
 Remain In Bill.

WdSnlnStO1l, Aug. o-AIteT DelIB in session for more than a week, the conferees on the Army Appropriation Bill reached an agreement today and the conference report will be report ed to the Senate tomorrow by Chair man Chamberlain of the Senate Mili- tary Affairs Committee. As signed by the members of the conference the measure carries a total appropriation of $267, 7,590,000 for the support of all branches of the army, which is $85.- 590,000 more than the bill contained when it came to the Senate from the House. The bill as it passed the Senate called for $313,900,000. One of the main. points of dispute between the Senate and House mem bers of the conference were the pro- visions in the articles of war which gave to a retired officer the right to criticise either his superior officers or the department in matters affecting the management of the army. The Senate conferees were in favor of striking this provision from the bill, but Chairman Hay of the House Com mittee, who had a conference with the President this morning, insisted that it should remain part of the legis- lation.
 It is said the articles of war were framed in the interest of Major Gen. Fred c. Ainsworth, retired, former Adjutant General of the army. It will be recalled that some years ago Gen. Ainsworth got into, a controver- sy with( Major Gen. Leonard Wood while the latter was Chief of Staff which resulted in the retirement of Gen. Ainsworth from the active list. It is understood Gen. Ainsworth has been working upon a book which he will publish shortly, giving his side of this controversy and exposing the methods which were in vogue in the army at the time. By today's action of the conferees he is permitted to go about as far as he likes without fear of court-martial or having his name removed from the Government pay roll.
 $1s,2s1 ,666 for Aviation
 The bill carries total of $i3,2S1,- 666 for aviation. It is provided that $900,000, or as much as may be neces- sary, shall be available for paying and otherwise providing for officers and enlisted men of the reserve corps of the aviation section of the Signal Corps called into active service. In letter to the Conference Committee, Secretary Baker said this legislation was asked in order to call into active service for the purpose of instruction for period of about six months suit able reserve officers and enlisted men, with a view to supplying the country with an efficient reserve of flying men in case of need. The Secretary pointed out that the number of offic- CTS and men in the regular army trained in flying is so small it is con sidered desirable to obtain a reserve by giving suitable instruction to civil ians who have some knowledge of aviation.
 The La Toilette amendment pre- venting the enlistment of boys under twenty-one. years of age in the Ma tional Guard was stricken out, as well as the amendment of Senator Reed of Missouri to allow foreign pay to regulars and guardsrfen on both sides of the Mexican border. Extra pay is allowed only for actual service in Mexico.
 The bill as it now stands retains the $2,000,000 appropriation for the relief of families of guardsmen. The appro- pr1at1on for summer training camps was reduced from s4;300,00O to $2,- 900, 900, while the $45O,000 to reim- purse the New York National Guard for mobilization expenses was stricken from the report
 Navy Conferees Split
 The conferees on the Naval Appro- priation Bill reported a disagreement today insofar as the building pro- gramme is concerned end as to the number of the personnel of that branch of the service. The Senate conferees held out for eight capital ships-four battleships and four batt tie cruisers. The House members con- tended for five battle cruisers. Chair man Padgett of the House Naval Af- fairs Committee will report to the House on Tuesday, Aug. 15, and ask