The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-07-06
CONGRESS- WILL
RUSH BILL FOR
BIG AIR ARMY
Dent Introduces War De-
partment's Aviation
Measure.

Washington, July 6--Work is to
begin at once on the legislation to
create an aviation service in proper
ton to the armies to. be sent to
France. Chairman Dent introduced
today the bill recommended by the
War department for obtaining the
$4,000 men required.
The House Military Affairs Com
mittee will be called 20 meet Monday
morning at 10:30eo'clock to hear Off
Gals of the War department. The
Aviation Appropriation Bill is not to
be introduced for a few days. The
legislation will be passed with virtu-
ally no opposition in either branch
Of Congress.
The committee jurisdiction over the
proposed legislation promises a small
controverys. While there is little
doubt that the personnel bill will go
to the Military Affairs Committee,
there is some question as to whether
the appropriation bill will go to that
committee or the Appropriation Com
mittee. Claims in behalf Of both
committees have been advanced. 6
Efforts were made last week to
obtain a Committee on Aeronautics to
handle all aviation legislation. The
Rules Committee, after taking testi-
mony on the new committee, could
reach no agreement. Unless a deci-
sion is reached before the House
meets tomorrow the bills will go to
the old committees without delay.
The appropriation recommended is
greater than the total amount for the
military and naval establishments and
Qualifications in the preparedness and
maintenance programme enacted in
the summer of 1915 for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1917. It will
create an activity greater even than
was required in the Navy or War
Departments in normal times, in the
opinion Of members Of Congress.
1t is planned to offer amendments
to one OF the bills for the purpose
of providing an efficient administers
tive force apart from the departments
now existing Several members of
Congress wish to see department
created to take over all work con-
nected with aviation and develop it
along well co-ordinated lines.
Administration leaders fear that
such a step at this time might create
discord and prevent the great aviation
forces from being used in the most
effective manner. It is commended
that aviation in wartime comes direct
ly under the supervision of the navy
or the army and that to create sep
| arate department with new Cabinet
7 head would cause confusion.
The department idea will be press
| ed on the ground that aviation has
| a future that demands the dignity that
would be given it If a Cabinet officer
could be had to represent the best
| interests of the service.
Democrats and Republicans alike
are convin ced that the legislation must
| be had without delay. Republican
| leaders will throw nothing in the way
| of this part of the Administration s
war program.
An entirely new draft of the per-
| sonnet bill will be made soon after il
is under consideration by the COM
mittee. The form of the present
measure is Objectionable. A sharp
fight is expected over the provision
which gives the President authority
to draft the men to operate the ma
| chimes.
| Those members of the committee
| who were for the volunteer plan il
building a National Army will make
| stubborn effort to eliminate the
draft feature.