New-York tribune., 1919-02-11
House Committee
Rejects Baker Plan
ToReorganize Army
Appropriation Bill Report
ed With $l,ll7,28O, 1873
i'll Budget; Standing Force
of $4,000 Men Provided

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O..-The army
appropriation bill carrying SLIT $780,
Assoc with Secretary Bakers army re-
organization plan eliminated, standing
army recruited through voluntary en-
hstment provided, and continuing rec
organizations, was reported to the
House to-day by Representative Dent,
of Alabama, chairman of the Military
Affairs Committee.
mates presented to the committee
called for an appropriation of S1,189.-
121,466.41. The original estimates were
for s1,916,9o5, ,572.16.
The military bill, as reported to-day
provides for an army of an averag.
strength during the fiscal year of 81
80 officers and 100000 enlisted men.
1t is estimated that this will be the
average strength during the period of
rehabilitation.
Draft Act Repeal Provided
iNoPe<'i VI we oIaAt ACT, except IN so
far as it authorizes the President to
maintain certain tactical units, is pro-
vlded in the bill and the former plan OF
voluntary enlistments substituted.
Under the terms Of the measure the
pay OF enlisted men will be continued
on the present basis.
bitter fight against the bin will
be made by advocates of universal
military training, who oppose a stand
ing army of 100000 men. saying that
about $4,000 would be sufficient Those
taking this view declare that the War
department realizes that it will not
be able to enlist 100000 men at $50
month. the present pay, which is
continued by the present bill They
charge that the War Department is
really only concerned in getting leris-
lation providing for the 2S,57O officers.
They further charge that if this num-
Der Of churches is made permanent
there viii be few promotions in the
future and the army will stagnate
Inc bill authorizes the construction
OF memorial building at Fort Leav-
enworth, Kan, and the reenactment of
the prohibition against the Tavlor
stopwatch system. The bill! ends the
controversy regarding overseas and
home chevrons by directing that no
distinctive stripe or chevron of any
kind be worn. The measure provides
for the promotion of all officers and
men who were recommended for pro-
motion prior to the datesof the armis-
tice.
May Advance Reserve Officers
Regarding promotions. stopped by
order of the Secretary cf War, The
bill provides for those "whose recon-
mendations have been approved by
competent military authority prior to
the 11th DAY of November 1918.
That in the event any such officer or
enlisted man has been honorably sep
arated from the service he shall be
commissioned in the reserve"
The House bill providing for reduc-
ton Of SO, 100000, 900 in war appropri-
ations and contract authorizations, and
making deficiency appropriations of
1895 ,000,0 900 was passed to-day by the
Senate without record vote 1t now
goes to conference.
With the exception Of approximately
Sl1 100000 the total appropriations car
ried in the bill are for the army and
navy. The measure repeals appropri-
ations for the War and Navy Depart
ments amounting 20 $7,179, 156,90O, and
cancels authorizations of 1921 ,O29, 200,
which officials Of the two departments
have said would not be needed.