Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-09
Funds Must Be Found, and
Military and Naval
Forces Built Up to
w ar Strength.
by GEORGE: D.. EDNIuNDS.

ioAN. .NlIlI Sine serious
work OF Congress for the upbuilding
OF the military and naval forces OF
the United States for the coming .truE
gle against the imperial German en-
pirc VIII begin with tho resumption
OF the session OF the two houses to-
morrow. Since the passage Of the res
olution declaring a state of war to
exist, the House itself has rested while
the various committee OF that body
haNinE in preparation the bills for tho
increase of the national treasury bal
ancc. the creation OF a modern army
or war footing. the increase OF the
navy. the doubling Of the Marine Corps
and for the fortihcation of the Judiciary
with adequate and drastic legislation
against the reasonable conspiracics
and the activities OF spies have. labor
cd long into the nights. Tomorrow
viii md them ready for the open dis
cussion Of a majority OF the necessary
measures
SOMETHING IN NATURE:
OF NEW PROCEDURE:
Something in the nature OF new pro-
ccdure IN the matter Of handling the
ne" aud stupcndous necessary war ap-
propriations viii he taken up in the
House. The Appropriations Commit
tee VIII assume new function as
budget committee for the whole war
appropriation. The administrative fca-
tureS Of the army and navy icgisla-
'ion viii he undertaken as usual by
the Committee OH Military and Naval
Affairs. but the appropriations Com
mittcc Will participate in the work OF
Il a
OF tn. fighting forces This relieves
the Military Affairs Committee OF "a
vast amount OF the detail OF prcpara-
;ion and review of the war expendi-
lures and leaves If free TO the draft
ing OF the two bills establishing a mod
crn army; namely. the compulsory mil
i,ary training measure. which ia 10 be
matter OF permanent practice in na-
tional affairs, and the immediate con-
scription bin. proposed by the admin
istration 10 replace the volunteer sys-
TEN
There is undoubtedly much opposi-
ton In the House. as we'll as in the
Senate. TO both measures. The con
scription bill is said to he PARTICULAR
~ unpopular with a certain group Of
Legislators. To a smaller faction also
little group who conrtitut. them
selves a sort OF antimiltariStic party
in public affairs. the universal mill
tary training measure is also distaste-
ful. II is not believed, however. that
the opponents Of either measure IN
either house OF Congress can muster
sufficient numerical strength long to
halt either Enactment.
II is certain that tho emergency
army measure, the conscription bill
Will receive f1rsl considcra ton in tho
House as we'll as in tho Senate. While
the Military Affairs Committee sup.
ports its bill on tho roor, the Appro-
.priations Committee will summon 20
its hearings Cabinet officials and bu-
rean chiefs with a view to rushing
through the war supply bilis.
MUST PuT TREASURY
ON WAR FOOTING
upon tho shoulders os Tho Ways and
Means COMMITTEES OF tho House will
devolve the task Of putting tho treas
ury on a war footing, The issuance
ot the $4,000. 600. 900 and more OF credit
must be taken care or a. once There
after will come tho bills for increasing
taxes to meet the interest payments
on this issue. Thus far not word
has escaped from tho Ways and Means
Committee as TO tho means which il
proposes to employ in practically
doubling the revenues OF tho govern
ment II is assumed. however. by
those associated with Chairman
kitchin and his colleagues that the
principal increases in present taxation
will come in the invome tax. the cx-
cess proht~tax the inheritance tax.
SUitt n nd
custom duties and certain special taxes
I'm the internal revenue section OF the
existing statutes.