Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-11
ARMY OF HALF-M|LL|ON
IS ADVOCATED IN HOUSE
Bill Reported Out of Military Com
mittce Provides Appropriation
Of 81, III $3.50, 400 for Force.
CARES FOR NATIONAL GUARD
Gives Equipment for 10000 Militia.
mon; Abolishes Service Stripes;
Restores Recruiting, and Arrangcs
for Transfers to .. II. G.
tBy Associated Press. ]

WASHINGTON. Feb. 10.-A temper
airy military establishment or $3.50
officers and 509.3o9 enlisted men is
provided for in the annual army APP
preparation bill reported TO the House
to-day by the Military Committee. The
measure carries total Of $l.1l7.2S9.400.
the committee said an army of the size
recommended would be necessary dur
ing the period of demobilization."
Chairman Dent said the bill. which
appropriates about S6S.000.000 less than
would be taken UP in the House as
soon as the naval appropriation bill is
passed
Legislation affecting the National
bill National Guard organization
of 10000 men is contemplated. Equip
ment and supplies would be provided
without charge by the War Department
from tho war stores. The total ap-
SlO.l73.000.
other leading features of the bill
are:
Dual organization Of the temporary
army Of 537.5SS men. so that part will
be constituted as prescribed in the
for organization Of Infantry, cavalry
and artillery units and the remainder
so as 10 permit retention of new units
aviation, tank corps and others, the
during the war.
RETURN ORGANIZATION
TO BUREAU CHIEFS
Return Of the War Department. or
ganization to bureau chiefs instead OF
centering its organization in the GEN
cral stan.
RESTORATION OF recruiting. with pro-
vision for one and three-year enlist
ments.
Adjustment of distinctive stripes
foT. overseas or service at home during
the war.
Continuation OF The increased war
pay for enlisted men.
Provision for the promotion OF OIL
GERS and men, recommended for such
before the signing OF the armisticc.
Inc committees report on the bill
emphasizes that by establishing a tenn
porary army OF 2T,57? officers and SOC, =
800 men no suggestion is made that
such should constitute the permanent
Standing army.
under this bill VIC may have more
than 100000 men In the service at the
beginning OF the next fiscal year and
perhaps not moro than 100000 at the
cnd.">
RECOMMENDS REPEAL
OF OvEnNAS ACT
The committee also recommended the
repeal OF the Overman act as ap-
piled TO tho military establishment.
Repeal OF the act which gives the
reaus and departments is urged to
safeguard the provision for q return
to the bureau organization plan.
The enlisted force for the regular
army declares the Legislative rider Of
the bill. prescribing the dual form OF
organization. shall be raised by VOL
untary eDlis tmcnis for periods of three
years and for the additional forces
herein authorized by voluntary enlist
mcnt5 for the period of one year"
All existing enlistmcnts for a longer
period than three years" continues
the rider. shall be terminated as
though made for three years and after
expiration OF one years honorable ser
vice any enlisted man serving In the
continental limits OF The United states
whose company. troop. battery or de-
tachmcnt commander shall report him
as proficient and sufficiently trained
may. in the discretion OF the Secre-
;ary OF War. be furloughcd to the
regular army reserves, under such reg
ulations as the Secretary OF War may
prescribe"
PROVIDES FOn TRANSFERS
TO RESERVE CoILPs
The rider also authorizes transfer
OF officers serving for the present
emergency Into the officers reserve
corps at tho rank or grade held by
thorn during thcic service or at u
higher grade.
In the section on organization. pro-
vision also Is made that ~ shall apply
only for the year beginning next July,
and that the Preside nt shall form or
continue such corps, including the
construction corps. field or tactical
units or organ izaJ ions he shall deem