New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
House Committee Trims
Millions Off Measure in
Face of Crisis
EQUIPMENT ITEM
CUT BY S6,000,0OO
Thirty Per Cent Pruned
from Ordnance Estimate
in Bill Reported
By STEVENSON Fl. EVANS

BY STEVENSON II. EVANS
Washington, Feb. "a soldier. as
the old saying has it, is like a CLOAK
One thinks of him only when it rains.
But the soldier Of the United States,
in the very presence of the most ter
rife storm that ever shook the world,
at time when the need of national
defence is apparent to schooiboys, II
not TO Congressman, gets only con-
temptuous treatment from the body
which is responsible to the people OF
the country A bill has been reported
from the House Military Committee
entitled "a Bill for the Support of the
Military Establishment
The inadequate Hay military law
inefficient as the event has proved
was enacted by a reluctant Congress
last year. Not the big army people, but
the little army people were responsible
for that measure. In an attempt TO
carry out the provisions OF the HAY
law the War Department this year
made certain estimates. Be it under
stood. these estimates were not for an
increase of the army, but merely 20
carry out the provisions Of the law.
The estimates were made before, long
before, the crisis with Germany burst
on the country. They were peace esti-
mates. Now. week after the break
with Germany, the House Military
Committee rtrorts bill in which the
War DEPARTMENTS estimates on ord
nance alonc-n which the army rs
wcfully deficient at present-are pruned
more than 80 per cent.
Figures Tell the Story
a few figures will characterize the
work Of the House Military Committee:
as lowest Reported
absolute need. in bill,
ton .....'........ sl4.s7s.oOO s12.ooO,oO0
Manufacture mall
arms ............ 7.35O.OoO 100000
Equipments. b elts,
knapsacks ....... 16,5OOOOO 100000
Machine guns ....... 1J,VUV,VOv ',1oV'VuV
Field artillery (of
which we have
practically nonel.. l4,OoOOOO lV,OUo,uVV
Ammunition for field ...-...
artillery .......... 100000 100000
According 20 I9e present pLaiS, o.
though the country is threatened with
war, the House intends to provide not
even enough money TO carry out the
inadequate programme laid down last
year. And the head of the War De
partment has not protested.
Mr.. Baker, the Secretary of War,
is now sitting on the report of the
General staff which was asked Tor by
the Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee. When General Scott, Chief OF
Staff, was before the Senate commit
tee seven weeks ago, he expressed the
absolute need of some system OF uni
versal military training. He was
asked if he would put the STATS ideas
in writing. That report has been
made Mr. Baker has it. Perhaps he
will transmit IL, and perhaps he won't
General Stats Service Plan
The General staff of the army has
worked out a plan for universal mill
tary service. It provides:
First For automatic enrolment or
American boys as they attain the age
OF nineteen and pass the physical re-
quiremonts.
Second A full years service, work
ing eight hours daily.
Third Pay at the rate Of 80
month, or sou year.
Fourth-The government TO pay all
the expenses of the years training,
which would include clothing, 500;
food, s92; lodging, $50; laundry, $40;
medical attention, $40.
Fifth Training 70 be received by
100000 boys a year. They would come
out athletes, with commensurate men,
tel development
The General staff estimates that
900 600 boys year come of age. Per
hans 50 per cent of these would not
be able TO pass the physical test.
Army men say that the country IS
now absolutely helpless against inva-
sion, and that it will take az least two
years. starting Immediately, 70 get
ready
How the House Mind Works
The character of thought in the
House of Representatives on this vital
question il indicated by the following
speech Of Mr.. Quin, Of Mississippi,
member Of the House Military Affairs
Committee:
"Not only The Chicago Tribune
the nasty thing that ought not TO be
mentioned in the presence Of gentle
men, but other plutocratlc papers
throughout the country, have seen TT
10 vilify members of the Committee
on Military Affairs, who have seen
proper 70 stand behind the great
powers Of selfish wealth and the un.
dermining dangers Of a great standing
army. We all know that the Amer!
can citizenship is ready 20 go TO the
front with flying colors 10 defend the
country against aggression. We all
know that If real contest comes i
would be the men from the ranks Of
private life who would 20 TO the front
as men Of great virlity 70 defend this
country" The quotation Is steno-