New-York tribune., 1919-02-19
Large Army
Plan Dropped;
]75,OOO Limit
Amendment 10 Recruiting
Bill Provides One-Year
Enlisimcnis at War PAY

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1S.-Leeisia-
ton providing for temporary mill
tary establishment Of about 100000
officers and men during the fiscal year
beginning next July l was eliminated
from the annual army appropriation
Dill tonight in the House after
passage of the Senate bill for resump-
ton of voluntary enlistments in the
peace time army. which would be re-
strlcted to the maximum of 10000
men authorized in the national de-
fence act of 1916.
Inc Senate measure now goes to con-
terence, and will become effective upon
lts approval by President Wilson. The
army appropriation bill also was
adopted By the House without a rec
ord vote, and now goes to the Senate,
with its completion there at this ses-
sion regarded by many leaders as
ooubtful 1t carries total of Sill
OIO,0OO,O00 for the War Department
tor the twelve months after June 80.
1t was explained by members of the
House that the Senate bill did not al
feet the present wartime army which,
Under the selective service act, must
be demobilizcd within four months
after peace is formally declared BY
Presidential proclamation. The dec-
sion of the House to consider the Sen
ate measure was by vote of 172
to 1862,
Senate Measure Right of Way
Chairman Dent, by direction of the
House Military Committee, had asked
fo< rule to make the temporary
army legislation in the regular ap-
preparation bill in order. but the Rules
Committee took no formal action on
the request. Instead it voted, seven
TO five. to report q resolution giving
the Senate measure the right of way
len Republicans Joined with 1862
Democrats in voting for the resolution
in the House. after sharp debate.
House amended it SO as to provide that
recruits should be enrolled in the
regular army Tor only one year with
out further service in the reserve
Their pay was fixed by another amend
ment al $50 & month, the wartime
basis in the army
No Opposition TO Recruiting Bill
Republican Leader Mann, in explain
ing the votes OF 150 Republicans
against adopting The rule to consider
.he Senate bill, said the opposition was
not against the BILL but was protest
against the failure to consider tenn
porary programme that would enable
the quicker return Of troops from
-, l.. ~
~ was adopted withoua dissenting
vote.
'lf the Democrats" said Mr.. Mann,
"refuse to let the House consider legis-
lation that Will bring drafted men
home the responsibility is with the
Democrats. The responsibility for
such q condition will be with Demo-
cratic Administration under legisatio
of the Democratic majority and against
which Republicans protested"
NY. Mann's declaration brought sharp
rctorts from the Democratic side Rep
rcsentativc Humphreys, Of Mississippi,
declared that "no demagogy can make
the boys in France believe we are try
iAG TO keep them there
Applaud Small Army Plea
His declaration for small army
was vigorously applauded by the
Democrats. as was also his assertion
that the soldiers should not be held
abroad for police duty.
"a good deal of political camouhage
is being INDUCED in here" said Repre-
sentative Gordon, of Ohio, Democrat.
"This Legislation has nothing to do
with bringing the men back. No one
ever suggested that any one Of the
proposed army of a half million was
TO go to France Such talk is political
material to meet the exigencies of the
occasion. The War Department is re-
turning the men as fast as it can
find shipping for them"
When the rule was being debated
Mr.. Mann predicted that it would not
they were to be tied to the army for
seven years." three years active ser
vice and four in the reserve Such a
plan. he declared would lead to the
dent declaring that the emergency
Tor the conscript army still existed,
so America might do its part in polio
ing Europe
"You will, under such plan. be re-
drafting men against their will" he
declared. Other Republicans expressed
similar views, and urged That the
House be permitted to consider the
larger army proposal.
Rider Legislation Dropped
After disposal Of the recruiting law
the House resumed work on the army
appropriation measure, which had been
delayed by other business since last
Saturday, All rider legislation in tho
bill was quickly eliminated on points
Of order. First. the Military Com
mttce's proposal for the temporary
army Of 28,579 officers and 500 900
men. was stricken from the bill. and
Immediately afterward the legislative
provision revolving the authority of
the President under the Overman act
to consolidate or create new bureaus
N the War Department was cimi-
mated.
A point Of order by Representative
Madden. Of Illinois, against another
legislative rider. prohibiting the wear
ing Of service chcvrons. also was sus-
tanned.
After disposal of the Legislative
riders. The House turned to the ap-
preparations carried for the Military
Air Service. which had been tempo
rarly deferred for consideration. An
appropriation Of Sl5,000,000 for this
service, without any specific amount
for production. was quickly passed,
and the House then proceeded with n
final vote on the measure.
Ga e.