The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-04-11
COST TO PUT u. s.
ARMY IN SHAPE GREAT

The cost of putting the United
States army on a footing commensu-
rate with the needs of the nation in
a modern war will be nearly $3,O0O,-
100000.
Estimates today furnished the
house of representatives by Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo on behalf of
the war department, call for total
of $2,932, ,537,93 "for national de-
fense."
Accompanying, the estimates deliv-
cred to the house by Secretary Nc
Adoo was a statement from Secretary
of War Baker. 1t was very brief. 1t
| offered no details as to the exact uses
to which it was to be put. 1t simply
was the estimate Of the necessary
war credit of the nation on the eve
of great international war.
1t said:
"For military expenditures under
the war department necessary for the
national defense and for each and
every purpose connected Herewith, to
be expended by the secretary of var
under such regulations as the presi-
dent may prescribe, and to be june
diately available and remain ava liable
until expended, $2,932, 2,o37 ,933."
Because of the war, however, other
estimates today were submitted which
carry the total forward to more than
three and one-half billions in addi-
ton to the prodigious sum asked for
the army.
For extraordinary expenses of the
naval establishment, $292, 2,538, 100. To
bring to a high state of efficiency the
coastal communication system of the
coast guard, 100000; for an increase
in the enlisted strength of the navy
and marine corps to 10000 and 3d.
600 men, respectively, $175,855,761;
department of justice, for the sup
preston of crimes against the United
States, $300,O00; additional watchmen
for the state, war and navy buildings,
$4,000; civil service commission, adj
ditional employees because of extra
|
igencies, $4,000; a special defense
fund under the control of the presi-
dent, $100,0OO,O0O.
This, it was admitted, was but the
beginning, a generous beginning, it is
true, but the beginning, nevertheless,
of the expenditures for the war which
is to come.
A conference at the capitol today
between Secretary of War Baker and
Senator Chamberlain, of Oregon,
chairman of the committee on mill
tary affairs, is regarded as conclusive
Of the first outline of the plans for
raising the land fighting force of the
nation. The measure providing for an
immediate draft of a sufficient num-
Der of men to pue an army of 1,200,-
600 men in the field will be introduced
in both houses of congress once the
resolution declaring the existence of
a state of war is out of the way.
1t was made clear by Senator
Chamberlain that the bill to increase
the army for immediate war needs
would be separate measure from the
universal military training bill. The
latter bill is regarded as a measure
Of permanent need for the nation.
The bill on which the finishing touches
were placed today is the emergency
bill.
One after the other the two meas
ures will be rushed through congress.
1t is believed that opposition in con-
siderably smaller measure than that
which fought the war resolution will
follow. Nearly all the so-called paci-
fist group in congress have promised
that once their efforts have failed to
stop actual hostilities they will give
loyal support of the president in the
great emergency.
UNITED STATES NAVY