The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-10
Main Features of Measures Already Whipped Into Shape-Hearings End To- morrow
BILLS OF HOUSES WILL DIFFER WIDELY;
 WORK FOR CONFEREES
Progress Made On Naval LegisaltiOn-Bill Are Ready For Signature of President

Washington, February 9.-With Presi- ocratic and republican members of the House military committee to hasten prep aration of bills to carry out the army's part in the national preparedness scheme. Indications tonight were that the meas ures might be ready for the House within two weeks or less.
 Hearings will end tomorrow or next day and it is understood the main fea- lures of the bills already have been whipped into shape in which it is expected they will receive virtually the unanimous approval of the committee.
 The Senate committee has concluded it's hearings on army bills and will take up the work of drafting it's proposals for the Senate early next week.
 Then also, the general outline of the plan to be recommended has crystal'ized in the minds of the members
 The bills of the two houses, it is ex- pected, will differ radically and the flnaI legislation will be worked out al a com promise in conference.
 PROGRESS ON NAVAL BILLS
 Progress also was made today on navy .egislation, the mea sures paving the way for construction of battleshps 43 and A at navy yards and providing for 3eo addi- uonal midshipmen in the July class at Annapolis, being passed by the Senate They passed the House yesterday and lack only the Presidents signature to be- come law. Speaker Clark introduced d bill today to increase the number Of c.s- dets at the military academy
 Chairman Hay of the House military committee and several of his demccratic colleagues discussed army pans With President Wilson during the day at the Presidents suggestion. Tomorrow Repre- sentative Kahn, ranking republican mem- Der. and others of the minority will go to the White House on the same errand. If IS understood the President was pleased with the report on progress Chairman Hay was able to give him.
 It was evident. however in later pro- ceedings of the committee that Repre- sentative Hay had not been swayed from his opposition to Secretary Garrison's proposal for continental army, which the President warmly advocated during his recent preparedness speaking ca m- paign. A witness before the committee said he was opposed to the continental plan.
 50 am l." interjected Mir. Hay We all are"
 WILL BE QUICKLY WRITTEN
 Democrats and republicans of the con- mittee agreed tonight in saying that an army bill would be quickly written, all though there might be minor details which would take considera ble debate to settle. The feature of the House bill, it was said would be liberalization of the militia through a pay bill carrying limi- tations designed to givesthe war depart ment peace time control of training and officering of the National Guard
 Adjutant General Foster of the Tiori- da National Guard. chairman of the ex- ecutive committee of the National Guard association, was again in Washington to- night, and it was understood he would be further consulted in order that the bill might be made acceptable to the state soldiers.
 Coupled with the pay feature of the bill probably will be Chairman Hays plan to authorize the President to draft na- tional guardsmen into the federal service immediately in time of war. This is de-
 to settle any conflict of authority (Continued on Page Two)