Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-05-09
FIGHT BREWS
IN CONGRESS
ON WAR BILL
Administration Leaders CHARGE
Republicans Are Making
Political Capital Out
of Army Measure.
MAKING BID FOR POWER
Proposals to Fix Minimum
Number of Troops to Be
Called, Camouflage, Demo
Gratis Declare.
MAKING BID FOR POWER
From The Tribune Bureau.

From The Tribune Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., May 6.-Opposi-
ton to the administration plan for
Il grant Of unlimited authority to raise
troops without naming any specific
number is growing in both houses of
congress. While this opposition is out
wardly camouflaged with logic of a
sort the real reason is largely political.
Much of this opposition comes from
senators and Representatives who nave
been identified with the movement for
q larger army. Secretary Bakers pro-
posal for an army of 5000, 900 this year
does not satisfy them. They say the
number should be much larger.
1T is noteworthy that the majority
OF the opposition is composed of re-
publicans. They have the support of
some democrats.
Efforts will be made, it is under
stood, to amend the empowering bill,
authorizing the president to call a
minimum of 100000 men. Ii that
amendment is voted down they will
attempt to fix the minimum at 1000, 900
men.
Those who want the minimum defined
in the law say they do not think that
Secretary Baker, if given unlimited
authority, will use it so as to raise
troops enough
Bid for Votes Change.
Political observers here see in all of
his an attempt by the republicans to
discredit Baker and the administration,
to show the country that the repub-
llcans are greater patriots than PreSi-
lent Wilson and Secretary Baker and
to create the impression that the re-
publican party, if given the w
would prosecute the war with greater
Vigor than the present government.
10 All nf f1ic NJ r, nd, fp,. =, orrnntnr
army fails to take into consideration
the fact that the wal organization is
not now capable of handling any such
number of men, either in training
camps or abroad because of the lack
of facilities for training and rams
porting and maintaining them.
The department knows it's limita-
tons. 1t is calling men to the colors
as fast as they can be assimilated,
clothed, equipped and munitioned.
than realized. Administration leaders
believe the country generally realizes
this and are not afraid to stand OF the
record made.
For Political Effect.
All of this talk about the war estab-
lishment having broker down. all the
furore of criticism for failure to do this
and do that, they say, is for political
purposes, designed to Influence the
coming congressional election.
Administration leaders admit there
gigantic Program of nrenaration
These tbev SAY have haen rectified as
fully and as soon as possible Rut these
mistakes and these DELAYS. they in
sist are chargeable to tl1e human ele-
ment rather than indifference or half
heartedness on the mart of those al the
head of he great war machine.
The calling ont of d 900 900 or 5000
600 troops now or within the next few
months. it is declared. would impose
such burdens upon the war depart-
ment that they not only could not be
met, but it would impair the supplying
and munitioning OF the forces already
trained and at the front or ready to
proceed TO France. 1t would swamp
the Industries OF the country ana I'M,
pose Obligations that would
be without immediate benefit.
Expect Baker Victory.
The war appropriation bill calling for
an expenditure of approximately S15,-
900, 000, 600 is to be given the right of
way in congress. Work will be rushed
on it. Some of the money is needed i'm
mediately, as the calling of 100000 men
by July / has caused deficiencies.
Some hot debates are expected to re-
suit in both houses of congress-. Adj
ministration leaders believe, however,
congress will vote to authorize Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Baker to
call troops as fast as they are re-
uuired aud as the military establish
ment can handle them. There will be
a lot of buster and o%ratorical bonn
bast for the purpose OF political cam
outage, they anticipate, but they are
convinced that in the end the admins
tratlon view viii prevail.
The exact revised estimates will be
placed befor the committee Monday, at
which time General March, CHIEF OF
the slaiI Will explain IN aetall lle m
crease in eSpenditures-one OF
the largest items in the bill. March Is
he vas iii charge of that work while in.
France unde General PershinS,
What Bill Provides.
Some Of the approximate requests of
the ordnance department follow:
Ordnance stores, ammunition and
c,,npIies 81 9O0 00O mo