Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25

sthe advisory committee were in session
II Strtually All day considering reports
n On what has been accomplished J,
Wah stated that an official attached TO
q vac committee, retired business man
s 81 wide experience. after going over
SsSho army purchasing system. reported
81 ID Secretary Baker that he was filled
4 With admiration for the efficiency zeal
4 And adequacy OF the service.
y CONTRACTS TO LIMIT
3 ". OF AVAILABLE I'll NDS
Contracts for puartcrmastcrs' sun
plies. such as clothing. shoes. tcntaec.
{ 5otc.. have been placed M to the limit
IS Or available funds. with Il provision for
the automatic extension Of the orders
On p large scale as soon as additional
Funds are available In this conncc-
+ tion it was stated officially to-day that
the country was in a better position TO
set quickly an adequate supply Of
army rifles than ever before in its
history.
Tho general military budget to he
& laid before Congress * expected to in
( cludc many army measures which
! tailed at tho last session, and which
now are being reviewed and co-orii
1
tons as to changes In army organiza-
ton, such as To tho adoption Of Il uni
Nersal service policy. has not been dis
closed
;E.A possible new element for tho ccu-
sideration OF the National Defense
Council was called 20 its attention dur
ing the day by Richard NJ. Bisscll and
I Wilbur L. Mailalieu. Of New York.
\ president and general manager. re-
j spectivcly OF tho National Boa"d of
Fire Commissioners. The board has
offered to organize and direct for the
government tho working ont Of broad
plan for dealing with fire prevention
requirements. Tho theory on which
the suggestion was based was that a
campaign OF incendiarism might FOL
low an outbreak Of hostilitics with
Germany
The underwriters have detailed in
formation to firo-fightinE facilities
Z throughout the country, and their
Z highly trained corps OF engineers and
Inspectors were placed AZ the disposal
OF tho government Secretary Baker
referred the matter to the advisory
3 Commission of the council for consid-
Grafton.
CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
BEGIN TO LAY PLANS
Returning congressional leaders have
begun to lay their plans for what
ever the President may recommend at
Che extra session, and to-day Chair
man Kitchin called the House Ways
and Means Committee to meet next
Wednesday. Willie tho primary plr-
pose is 10 consider organization mat
ters, the governments fiscal situation
is sure to he discussed Members are
talking among themselves OF a huge
government credit 10 the allies but
any action to that end Will await the
Presidents announcement Of his pro-
gram
On Monday. Representatives Flood
OF Virginia; Eagsdnlc Of South Caro-
lima. and Harrison Of Mississippi
members Of the Foreign Affairs Com
mtttce. Will confer with Secretary
Lansing, The specific questions IL be
discussed have rot been revealed
Representatives Harrison. Flood and
Raes'ialc issued this statement today:
There can I've no doubt now that
we are involved in the war. Cne OF
the main questions 10 lie decided as a
policy of the government is as TO The
best WAY 10 cooperate with the allies
Whether that shall he by protecting
our rights on the high seas thrauGh
tHe navy. or sendinG soldiers into the
'rencheS or placing At the disposal Of
The allies the wonderful credit Of This
country Will deserve the most careful
consideration
Sl' may he that before the war is
over. We viii have TO send - large
eSpsdiiionarN force over there but
: personally hope that course ,ln hc
avoided"