The sun., 1919-06-24
SENATE PASSES AIR
BILL OF $56,OOO,OOO
Other Increases in Army APP
preparation Bill Are Ac-
cepted Tentatively.
STRENGTH Is UNDECIDED
Night Sessions to Continue
Until Pressing Measures
Are Agreed Upon.

WASHINGTON, June 23.--Taking UP the
ssss, 100000 annual army appropriation
bill to-day and continuing It's considers-
ton at a night session the Senate ton
tatively. Approved an appropriation Of
SIS, 900. 900 for the army air service, an
Increase Of $40 100000 over the amount
voted by the House.
Although the army bill was under con-
sideration for almost ten hours little
progress was made. action upon many
important committee amendments being
deferred until tomorrow at the request
Of Senators. Among these was the one
fixing the average strength Of the army
for the next fiscal year at 100000 men.
Owing to the fact that the army bill
as well as the naval and other appro-
priation bills must be passed before
July 1 night sessions In the Senate this
week are planned.
Plans OF the War Department for the
rapid rehabilitation OF the army were
revealed to the Senate tonight by Chair
man Wadsworth, who said that while on
July 1. the army would consist OF l.oas..
900 officers and men. this number would
be reduced to 74s.2ss by July 81, 472.-
oSs on August 81, and from September
80 for the next nine months under the
400. 900 plan would consist OF 1000 Of
ficers and men.
status Under House Plan.
Under the House proposal for an army
OF 100000. War Department estimates
showed that to the last nine months OF
the fiscal year the army would consist
90 nA uptI
the War Department recommendations
for an average of 500. 700. II would be
44s.too. Chairman Wadsworth said.
however. that whatever size Congress
fixes would be only temporary. and
would remain In effect until a permanent
military policy has been establiShed.
With brief discussion the Senate
adopted the item OF $3.50. 100000 for
army transportation, a decrease Of So
0t0. 900 from the House appropriation. 1t
also adopted the committee recommended
tons for $S5,000.0oo for army sub
sittence. an increase OF nearly 10000
900. and that OF S25 100000 for clothing.
and increase OF s7,500.00o.
The large increase In the bill for vo-
cationai training facilities from 800
to 100000 as recommended by the
Military Committee. also was approved
Chairman Wadsworth said the House ap-
preparation for this purpose was grave
~ inadequate and would prevent op-
Grafton of the law Offering vocational
training to soldiers.
other Increases Made.
Increase in the appropriation for
storage and shipping facilities from 412.-
100000 to $45. 000, 900 also was adopted
by the Senate after Mr.. Wadsworth ex-
planned that infux OF supplies being re-
turned from abroad is overfio wing all
Government storage facilities.
The Senate also accepted It's COM
mittee amendment appropriating $780,
! 900 in place OF the House provision OF
100000 for the maintenance and con-
struction OF post roads In Alaska.
In tentatively approving the air ser
vice appropriation the Senate authorized
$ss2.00o for the purchase Of the Curtiss-
Elmwood plant In Buffalo. S3.26o.o00 for
the Dalton Wright Rirplane factory at
Dayton. Ohio S3,4SO.0o0 for a dirigibie
| station and necessary buildings for the
housing of airships In Burlington county,
New Jersey. and $4,000 for the ac-
QUESTION OF Ream Field In San Diego
county. California. for the establishment
OF an aerial gunnery school.
Senator Mcclellan tTenn.) reserved the
right. however. to ask the Senate to re-
| consider its action on these provisions
when the bill Is taken up finally in the
| Senate.