New-York tribune., 1918-04-22
Final Measures Expected
This Week for Further
Expansion of the Army
Spy Bill on Calendar
Appropriations for Conduct
of the War Also To Be
Considered

WASHINGTON, April 21.-Military
matters will be to the fore this week in
Congress. Final action on important
legislation extending the selective draft
act is expected, while new army meas
ures which have awaited the return OF
Secretary Baker from Europe are to be
launched.
Further expansion of the army, de-
velopment of the war production pro-
gramme and appropriation questions
are among subjects upon which Mr..
Baker is expected to submit recommen-
dations to the Senate and House mill
tary committees. The latter has ar
ranged to have the Secretary appear
Tuesday and the Senate committee
plans to hear him later in the week.
quarters that President Wilson. in a
special address to Congress, might pre-
sent recommendations for future mill
tary legislation.
OF the pending army measures the
bill changing draft quotas from state
populations to the number Of men in
Glass l will be sent to conference to-
morrow by the Senate. particularly for
consideration and probable revision of
the House amendment providing for
credits on state quotas for volunteers
already in service. The House prob
ably will pass the Senate bill extending
the draft law to men reaching twenty
one years of age SINCE June 5, 1917.
Legislation to curb spies and disloy-
aIists also will receive much attention
during the week. Senate and House
conferrees begin work tomorrow on
the sedition bill, with it's drastic PEN
altles for disloyal acts or utterances.
while the Senate Military Committee
Will resume hearings on Senator Cham
berlain's bill to transfer jurisdiction
from civil courts to military tribunals
OF many acts of espionage and sedition.
The committee plans to report the bill
tavorablv very soon. but strong op-
position has developed.
The bill appropriating $6O,0OO,O0O to
provide housing accommodations for
war workers will be called up to-
morrow in the Senate for a vote It's
passage is regarded as assured.
With the exception of pressing mis-
cellaneous matters, including final
vote on $3.50 wheat, rejected by the
House, the Senate will devote itself to
the Overman bill, proposing general
powers for the President to organize
government bureaus. Senator Sher-
man, of Illinois, Republican,, will speak
against the measure tomorrow
Wednesday, in the hope of Fastening
action, debate will be limited by agree
ment.
Measures to furnish money for the
war programme are being pressed in
both branches of Congress. The billion
dollar naval appropriation bill goes
from the House to the Senate to-mor-
row, the postofIice supply measure is
awaiting Senate consideration, confer.
rees begin work tomorrow on the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
propriation measure; the Senate com.
mittee is working on the House rivers
and harbors bill, the Indian appropria
ton bill is to be sent to the President
this week. and a new urgent deficiency
bill, containing large items for concrete
ship construction, artillery and avia
ton. is almost ready for introduction
in the House. This leaves the army
bill, the largest and possibly the las
supply measure.
Several banking and currency bill,