New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-24
Senate Measure Providing
for 10000 Men May
Be Adopted.
PHILIPPINE SCUTTLE
SPLITS DEMOCRATS
Shipping Act To Be Under Fire
-Brandeis Nomination Up
This Week.
fFrom The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, April 23.-Friends Of the
regular army were hopeful tonight
that the House would accept the Senate
provisions for the regular establish
ment The Brandegee amendment
adopted by the Senate provides for
regular army Of 1870 900 men, which can
be expanded in the discretion Of the
President even in peace time 70 10000.
The House provision is for regular
army Of only 100000 men.
The House. especially on account Of
the present strained condition of inter-
national relations, is not adverse TO
placing a considerable amount Of dis
erection for increasing the army in the
hands Of the President. Also, the
House came very nearly fixing 10000
as the minimum for the regular army
when the army reorganization bill
passed the House some weeks ago. The
Kahn amendment, providing for 220,-
600 men, was defeated by only q
votes, so that a change of twelve votes
would have passed it. As $50, 900 is
exactly halfway between the present
House provision of 100000 and the
100000 so nearly provided by the
House, there is strong hope that it will
be accepted by the House.
House Democrats and Republicans
are on the verge of a clash over the
legislative programme for the re-
mainder Of the session.
The majority, DESTROYS OF carrying
out the wishes of the White House in
pushing through the Philippine and
shipping bills as quickly as possible,
is threatening TO invoke drastic rules
which will insure the measures right
of way. The minority, while making
no threats, is conducting what ap-
pears 10 be a mild flibuster on the
agricultural appropriation bill and
urging consideration of the fortihca-
tions or appropriations measures IN
lieu Of the Presidents special meas
urcs.
Attempts 70 agree upon fixed pro-
gramme for the session have been
futile thus far. Minority Leader Mann
says that he is willing TO come TO an
agreement with the Democrats, but
that "the White House can't tell US
what we must do" And he is waiting
for the Democrats to make the next
move. In the meantime the Demo-
Gratis are having many conferences IN
Majority Leader Kitchin's office IN an
endeavor TO reach a working agree
ment. while on the floor such agrlcult-
ural problems as poisoning coyotes,
fighting the hessian fly and preserving
the buffalo are being discussed a,
length
Besides having Disconnected minor
itv. Democratic leaders face serious
problem within their own ranks on the
Philippine bill. The White House, II
is understood, favors the measure as
amended by the Senate, 20 give the
Filipinos freedom in four years, but
this does not meet with the united ap-
proval of the House Democrats.
When the shipping bill comes in it IS
certain to precipitate a heated argu-
ment. Vessel owners are determined
TO train their heaviest guns on severa!
provisions which will be retained, par
ticularly those giving the Shipping
Board power TO fix rates and to permit
the government to purchase ships.
With respect to international prob
lens, the threatened diplomatic break
with Germany in particular, both houses
are exercising great caution, and 10
outbreaks of discussion have occurred
since President Wilson's address.
beginning tomorrow the Senate will
take I'D the rural credit legislation,
which has long been waiting for action.
The Senate also is expected to have the
Brandeis nomination for consideration
before many days. The Judiciary Com
mittee will meet again tomorrow 20
consider the favorable report of the
subcommittee on the nomination.
There is no assurance that the commit
tee will vote tomorrow, but report IS
expected during the week.