Evening journal., 1919-06-26
SENATE PASSES
HUGE ARMY BILL
Average Strength 400, 900
for l9l9-20, With Final
Figure of 322.008
LAND BUYING is
BLOCKED BY LAW

WASHINGTON, June 26.-The Senate
passed the army appropriation bill yes
'terday providing $3.50, 6,i27,siS for the ex-
penscs Of the military establishment
during the coming fiscal year The
I Senate had voted the reduction of the
gross amount by S2.5I6.OOO in the course
Iof The pendency Of the measure In the
upper house.
Under The terms Of the enactment
the average strength OF the American
army during The year 1920. will be
approximately 100000. Starting with
am army Of 100000 on July the re-
duction will be rapid until October
when The numerical strength viii be-
come nXed, The following tabulati-rl
shows the rate Of speed In reduction
Of The military force
July OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ,O39OOO
July 81 .........s............ 1iS2SS
August 3i.. az. .2ss
september 80 .....4............. 322 OBS
The final figures, 322,09s. will be the
strength Of the army for the rest Of the
year and thereafter unless specifically
provided by the new legislation.
The repetition Of such performances
on the part Of the War Department as
disclosed Yesterday i'm the course OF.
the debate with reference Ia the mau-
th0rized purchase of more than So
100000 worth of land in Georgia for
new school Of small arms practice has
been provided against I'm the bin as
passed by the Senate today The bill
specifically prohibits the War Depart |
ment from engaging in any new ven /
lures OF this sort without specific au-
thorily and provides that only where /
the expenditures Of funds 10 complete |
projects already authorized and begun
is necessary, shall the department exer-
else its own JUDGMENT.
The army bill will Immediately 20 TO
conference and Senator Wadsworth,
New York. chairman Of the Military
committee. expects to report an agree
nenl back 10 the Senate before the end
II the week that the engrossed bin may
De- ready for the Presidents signature
upon his return from Eu-
'Opc
Continued opposition 10 the Senate
increasing the size Of the
,rmy 10 100000; increasing the appro-
lraiion for aviation from Si5,OW,0O0 to
s35. 100000. and permitting purchases Of
ground at Camp Meade and other can
onments viii be made by the House,
ID was announced today by Chairman
Kahn. Call Of the House Military AZ
fairs Committee. He indicated, how
ever. that the House conferees might be
willing 90 compromise on S3OWO'OOO Tor
aviation. The House conferees are eX-
pected 10 be in addition TO Chairman
Kahn. Representatives Anthony lkan.)
and Dent .Ala)
''The chairman Of The senate Com
mitlee on Military Affairs said Mr.
Kahn. suggested in debate That an
average army Of $4,000 would bring
our military force during the fiscal year
1920 down 10 225,0OO This is exactly
In accord with the maximum figure OF
NE national defence act ] favor bring
ng the armed force down to the num-
,cr allowed by this law until We have q
ntirely reorganized the army c
Regarding a compromise on the avi-
tiOn item, Mr.. Kahn said:
81 am i'm favor Of such an appronri-
iion as will enable us 10 keep mp our
xpcrimenis and maintain an efficient
ucleus for a lighting air personnel. ] v
% IlUh NliHlks liNhNNNfAf AAAuN az WIS AAtAAN I
,hen our entire army is yet TO be re-
rganized we should proceed to cXpend. U
money unreasOnably in favor Of ono
ranch Of the service at the expense .
Z any other"
"The War Department, Mr.. Kahn said
e. was informed, anticipating passage ,,
+ the House provision against the land
urchases. was rushing completion Of /,
uch purchases in order 10 have as
much as possible as thc sites bought ,
nd paid for by the time the bill is
assed
"The next appropriation bin viii he
aiken up in December, when legislation
n matters Of permanent policy will be- !
he said Meantime the ,
cccssity for purchasing additional land
an be esligaled. Some OF the land
is proposed 10 purchase now is rated
{ $1,000 an acre II is probable that !
'arch will reveal just as good prop
-ty that will he very much cheaper
, buy. ] would not be surprised il
le House stands firmly against the d
d. N.g I.