The north Mississippi herald., 1918-07-05
Fl BILLIONS ARE
APPROPRIATED BY
u. S. CONGRESS
Army Bill Now in Final Stages
and Provides for 10000
Men, Giving President Pow
er to Call Unlimited Number
-Crowder to Be Made Lieu
tenant-General.
NUMBER 81

Ouuc E0.--1 us
was $21, 100000 day in Con-
gress-the biggest money day" in
the history of any legislative body
in the worlds history.
Spurred by the fact that the fiscal
year ends Sunday and that next week
the government will be without funds
to continue the war unless the big
supply bills pass at once. Senate and
House leaders whipped both bodies
into top speed action. The desire to
recess next week for six weeks con-
tributed to the acceleration.
The usually deliberate Senate set
the pace by:
Passing the $4,000, 900, 900 army
bill.
Adopting the conference report on
the 100000 sundry civil bill.
Giving the final o. K. to the ST.
500,000,000 naval appropriation bill.
Passing the $4,000, 100000 forti-
fications bill.
This made effective, so far as the
Senate is concerned, $21 500, ,0OO, 900
in appropriations, the bulk of it for
prosecution of the war.
The House helped by adopting the
$1,500,000,000 navy bill conference
report, the sundry civil report and de-
Gliding not to let this legislative day
end until the army has passed, con-
tinued its session on into the night.
Not moments debate was requir-
ed to put the Notifications bin
through the. Senate. Most Of the.
money it appropriates goes to h,ay
artillery and ammunition for Perish
ing's army.
Provisions of Army Bill
The army bill, now in its final
stages, provides for an army of g.
100000 men, but gives the president
power to call an unlimited number:
provides huge sums for aircraft and
machine. guns; provides for carrying
out draft treaties with Great Britain
and Canada by registering their citi-
zens in this country; creates a $780,
100000 aircraft production corpora
ton and makes neutrals who have
become United States citizens, for
felt their citizenship rights unless
they waive exemption from military
service. 1t also authorizes President
Wilson to promote Provost Marshal
General Crowder to a Lieutenatn-
General, in recognition of his hand
ling of the draft.
None of the appropriations for the
army's part in the war for the fiscal
year beginning July /, was reduced
by the Senate. Instead it increased
many items, approved without change
the House clause clothing the presi-
dent with unlimited authority to in
crease the army by further draft
calls and added scores of important
legislative riders.
A futile effort was made today by
senators desirous of specifically or
mendment by Senator McCumber of
North Dakota, proposing to direct
the president to enlarge the army to
100000 enlisted men, as speedily
as equipment and clothing could be
obtained, was rejected As to 10, and
an amendment by Senator Fall of
New Mexico, proposing an increase
of 100000 men went out viva voce.
Many senator's, however, fearing this
action, and the rejection yesterday of
the Fall amendment to extend the
draft age limits to 20 and 40 years.
would be misinterpreted,s declared
that in voting they were only tenn
porarily postponing action in accord
with the War Departments request
for two or three months time to sub
init the enlarged programme.