South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-16
ASK OVER SIX
BILLIONS FOR
NEW U.S. ARMY
Appropriation Bill Authorizes
Salvage Commission and
Extends Shipping Boards
Powers.
News Service


WASHINGTON, oct. 16.-With
the largest deficiency appropria-
ton bill ever presented TO an Amer
lean congress, the United States
this afternoon let the whole world
know that she is prepared TO use
her vast financial resources to the
limit 10 smash the German military
autocracy.
For the American military estab-
lishment, under the new man
power program, there was recon-
mended a total OF S6,152 ,062, ,704.52,
or nearly the entire amount of So
345,756, ,666.O4 in cash and contract
authorizations proposed in the bill.
Two sweeping propositions, in
vOlving radical changes in the ma
tons war administration, were en-
bodied in the bill as it was favor
ably reported to the house by Rep.
Sherley of Kentucky, chairman Of
the house appropriations commit
tee.
Authorizes Commission.
one authorized the president to
create a war salvage commission Of
seven members to make a survey
and study of all properties belong
log TO the United States, and par
ticularly those acquired during the
war, and TO recommend TO congress
what use or disposition shall be
made Of the same in the interest Of
the government and American
people
The second empowers the United
States shipping board ito acquire
construct establish or extend any
plant, or TO purchase, requisition, or
otherwise acquire title 20 or use or
land. improved or unimproved; and
to make advance payments or loans
TO private individuals or interests
for this purpose, OF such amounts
and upon such terms as the presi-
dent may deem necessary or prop
er."
The board now possesses only
the power TO "requisitiOn" or take
over" such plants or lands as II
may deem necessary for its ship
building program.
BrOadcns Powers.
The bill also greatly broadens
the powers of the shipping board
TO such an extent as 10 permit gov
ernment control of ali dry docks.
marine railways and piers or docks
as we'll as ship yards.
Cash and contract authorizations
amounting TO S1O7,2l7,77S.25 for the
navy department and the naval es-
tablishment are also provided in the
bill.
Civil service recommendations
total $S6.4T5.1S3
Original Army Estimate.
The original army estimate under
the new American man power plans
was S7,347, 100000 TO which an ad-
ditional estimate for artillery Of ST.
I55.353.3S2 alone was added.
Then the navy. which has been
doing valiant service in conveying
American troops overseas, came
along with an estimate of its own
amounting to 1925, 100000 and, on
top Of that. the shipping board was
heard from with request for $4S4,-
600 900 for more steel and wooden
ships as well as ship yard facilities,
that the government might continue
TO send abroad 25O.OOO with their
supplies every month.
Before the new estimates were
submitted TO Chairman Sherley, the
army had been already provided in
cash and contract authorizations,
with more than seventeen billions
OF dollars for the fiscal year.
But that was before the passage
OF the new Is 70 40 draft act and
the decision OF the war department.
10 create 9s American divisions. so
OF foreign and is for home service.
based on the estimate OF Chief Of
STAFF March that such use OF armed
American force would win the wa
by the middle OF next year.
Explains Increase I'm Army.
Gen. March explained 20 ths
house appropriations committee tha.
II was proposed 20 increase the
American army 10 4.S50.00o men.
which would give II combined
force sufficient TO carry the war in
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