Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-01
TO ASK FOR MORE !.
MENTOR us. ARMY
Secretary Baker Soon to. Lay
Plans Before House Mill
tary Committee.
MAY REQUEST MILLION

Plans for increasing the war Army
to keep pace with the accelerated
movement of American soldiers to
the battle front in France will be
laid before the House military commit.
tee by Secretary Baker tomorrow morn.
| ing.
What increase is to be asked has not
been disclosed, but the report most
widely circulated Is that an additional
million men will be provided for in the
| appropriation bill submitted, bringing
the Army up to more than 100000 men.
As Fast as Facilities Permit.
| It is not believed by some persons in
close touch with the War Department
that. q definite program will be fixed
at this time for further calling out OF
ton viii 60 ahead Just es as fast A as can.
| Torment and camp space and shipping
facilities will permit
Therefore it is likely that the Secre-
tary of War will ask for appropriations
to cover the maximum number OF troops
| likely to be needed, and this maximum
| will be worked up to as fast as condi-
lions warrant.
It also is likely that the legislation
asked will be flexible enough to per-
changes OF plan and readjustments as
| future events indicate are necessary.
Discuss Transportation Problem.
The whole question Of equipment and
transportation was gone over again at
the War Department today by the war
council. Chairman Baruch Of the war
the chipping board and Chairman P. A.
8. Franklin Of the control board were
present, besides Assistant Secretary
Stettinius and Maj. Gen. 0oethals, di-
rectly charged with the supplying and
transportation Of the Army.
It Is known that war Department
ofncials. through the survey of ship
ping and supplies recently completed,
have been convinced that it will be
possible to handle at least 100000
could be considerably increased by
straifing resources.
It is known that a careful survey of
the equipment and transportation stu
ationl has been completed by tho War
Army increase plans. The provost
marshal generals office has taken steps
to ascertain in definite figures the ex-
act number Of fighting men still avail
able in elias. / Of the seleetivs service
forces. and recommendations for
authority to organise additional divi-
sionS and estimates for appropriations
have been held up pending the COM
pleti0n Of these studies.
>. Previous plans contemplated the mob
iliSation Of an additional 100000 men
during the present year. That project
represented the filing to full strength
all existing divisions and the erection
in France before the end Of the year Of
large field army under Gen. Pershing,
with an ample reserve Of troops to keep
the lighting ranks full at all times.
70 Avoid Industrial Deransement.
Plans for the equipment If troops are
baSed on that project. and in consider
Ing proposals to enlarge tho program
extensively, the prospect Of shortage Of
uniforms and other equipment. as well
as Of transportation, must be consid-
cred.
I There is little disposition to call men
to the colors and further derange in
dustrial life in the country unless there
Is good prospect that they can be sent
abroad within q reasonable time.
The accelerated movement Of troops
to Europe 10 said to be proceedine
smoothly, and officials are much On.
coura9ed by the showing of the trans
portation service.
secretaryBake has been in frequent
conference recently with Lord Reading,
the British ambassador, and the aid in
transporting soldfefs that Great Britain
can furnish probably will play q part
in determining the size Of the enlarged
army.