Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-07
CASH FOR UPKEEP :
Of REGULAR ARMY
Measure Carrying s278, ,000,-
GOO Is Reported by Senate
Military Committee.

Carrying s27s.ooo.ooo for the regular
army establishment. an increase of $685.
274.0o0 over the amount passed by the
House, the annual regular army ap-
preparation bill was today ordered re-
ported by the Senate military commit
tee. The Chamberlain universal train
ing bill was not included and will be
separately considered.
Tuesday the committee will begin
consideration OF the universal training
bill and also the administration army
increase measure, which provides for
recruiting of new armed forces by a
selective draft.
West Point Bill Reported.
The annual West Point Military
Academy bill. carrying s1.343,o00. also
today was ordered reported by the
Senate committee.
Senator Chamberlain. chairman, said
he plans to bring the regular supply
measure before the Senate next Mon
day. The principal committee increase
over the House bill was of about s23.-
oo0, 900 for additional clothing and
equipment. eggs
Elimination of the Chamberlain
training bill from the annual appro-
priation measure was due Senator
Chamberlain said. to the desire to eX-
pedte passage of the measure supply
ing the regular military establish
ment's needs, beginning July l. Also
the original Chamberlain bill, which
was reported a rider" to the ap-
preparation measure last month, has
been materially amended.
At Tuesdays committee meeting it
is planned to have Secretary Baker.
Maj. Gen. Scott. chief of staff, or other
War Department experts explain the
new draft legislation.
The House committee on military af-
fairs went into executive session this
Gen. Scott and Judge Advocate General
Crowder on plans for army extension.
There was a large attendance of the COM
mittee.
Has Not Gone Into Details.
When the committee adjourned until
II o'clock Monday Chairman Dent
stated no details could be given out be-
cause the Secretary had not gone over
them yet. and only discussed the pro-
visions Of the general staff bill in a
general way. Mr.. Dent made the i'm
portapt announcement that it was the
belief that the first fighting unit of
100000 men should be raised by draft,
as the voluntary system was not work
able.
The filing up of the existing army and
militia should be done by voluntary en-
listment.
The War Department asked the COM
mittee TO add provision to the bill au-
thoriZng the President to maintain by
voluntary enlistment draft special and
technical troops and embody them in an
n nj jzaf fn IA a
by existing law.
In the War Department further
moves toward mastering a great army
await action by Congress Every pre-
.iminary step already has been taken,
however, to carry out the project of
raising and training million men in
a year and supplying them with full
war equipment. The only thing that
without congressional action is to or.
der the regular army expanded to full
war strength.
plans have been laid for calling the
full strength of the general staff to
Washington to help in administration
of the huge task of army building be-
fore the department. Only half OF the
authorized strength of the stan can
now be of duty here under existing
law. Congress is expected to remedy
this at once, however.
Scheme of Appointments Considered.
Pending a decision by Congress on
the methods to be employed in raising
the army, a detailed scheme for ap-
noiatment of new general officers and
ret,inp highly efficient soldiers IN COM
~ each regiment cannot be
Worked na out. The basis for this work;
howeyer, already has been established
bv staff action.
,N;Sa,t in the selection of generals
prdsr pnesaoehhe the staff plan. They may be ap-
nnnu UNITED from any part of the forces to
be raised or from civil life: Up to and
.r ~ is desired by the military Of
aeIa sciais that men who have had recent
experience in handling troops shall be
| selected. So far as possible 1t Is pro-
| eYnarience to head all new regiments.
With thirty-two infantry and four