Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-19
Works Far Into Night to
Complete Army Reor-
ganization Bill.
AMENDMENTS KILLED
Peace Strength Of Reserve
Military Forces Fixed
at 100000.
WILD SCENES
VXIASHINGTON, April 1S.-

N ~
w An army reorganization
bill that would produce regular
army and reserve military forces
in the United States aggregating
a million men was passed by the
senate tonight without a record
vote. 1t is a substitute for the
Hay bill passed by the house and
the differences will be worked
out in conference.
On the eve of joint session
Of the houses of congress to hear
a message from the president on
grave international issues, the
senate hastened completion of the
bill amid scenes of excitement, re-
peatedly rejecting all amend
ments pending to reduce the pro-
posed strengthening of the army.
WASHINGTON. April 1S.-Bound
by parliamentary agreement to take
6 final vote on the army rcCrganiza-
ton bill before adjoU. nment. the sem
ate settled down tonight for a pro-
tracted session which some leaders
thought might last until far beyond
midnight Many amendments re-
manned to be disposed of when the
usual hour for adjournment passed.
although some of the most important.
including one passed late in the day
fixing the peace strength of the stand
ing army at 250,C00. were out of the
way.
The amendment making the army's
peace strength $4,000 instead of
1900 as provided in the bill as
framed by the military committee.
was adopted is tc 81, 20 Republicans
and II Democrats voting for it. A
peace strength oc only 100000 is pro-
vided for the army bill passed by the
house and sharp contest over that
feature is looked for in conference.
Reserve Regular Army.
Another amendment adopted today
would create a reserve regular army
for use in time of war, composed of
school and college youths and would
provide means of recruiting the
proposed volunteer army force.
The proposal submitted by Senator
Hardwick was agreed to. Sc to "a. the
result coming as surprise to SEN
ators on both sides of the chamber,
since predictions openly had been
made that the volunteer army feature
already included in the bill would be
rejected in conference.
Military Instruction.
Senator Hardwicks amendment
provides for military instruction by
commissioned army officers under di-
rection of the secretary of war in
every school and college in the United
States having one hundred or more
male students over fifteen years of
age, when authorities of such schools
apply for such instruction and the
requisite number Of students agree to
accept the training and to become a
part of the reserve force of the army
of the nation. Application for the
training would be purely voluntary,
but all students over IS years old re-
ceiving training would be subject to a
call to the colors by the president in
time of war or threatened war during
their training term.
The senate also agreed to an
amendment reducing the proposed
term of enlistment in the regular
army from seven to five years and
the proposed term with the colors
from four to two, thus giving each
enlisted man three years in the reg
ular reserve.
Increase Officers.
Senator Cummins amendment to
increase the number of officers in
the ordnance department to 1875 in
stead of the S5 as at present or 1O9
provided for in the bill was defeated
as was the Hitchcock amendment to
fix the number of officers on the
general staff at fifty-two instead of
at thirty eight as at present, or
ninety seven as provided in the bill
An amendment by Senator Reed pro-
hibting enlisted men from leaving
their posts to engage in any civil
pursuit for hire or otherwise, when
it would interfere with the employ
ment of civilians. was passed.
Upon motion of Senator Thomas
an amendment was adopted making
1t criminal offense for civilians.
with certain exceptions, to wear an
army uniform or to refuse admis-
sion to places of public entertain
ment to enlisted men in uniform.
Another amendment adopted would
require adjutant generals of the ma
tional guard to be residents Of the
state or territory for which ap-
DOinted