Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-22
LEGISLATION PLANNED
TO REORGAN|zE ARMY
Will Provide Protection From Out
side Attacks and Compulsory Mill
tary Training for Boys.
WANT SMALL STANDING ARMA
Senate Subcommittee Also Plans to
Dvcrrulc Recommendations Made
by Secretary Baker and General
March as TO Chemical Warfare.
WANT SMALL STANDING AH,iN
ni. Assnciatcd Prc.s.l

W NASlilNGTDN. Dec. 2l.--LcG! !slation
which would amount 20 Il virtual re-
organization OF the army. with protec-
tiou from outside attack as a primary
purpose. and with compulsory military
training for boys from Is to u "a.
leading feature. has been agreed upon
tentatively by the Senate Military Sub
committee considering Il permanent
military policy for the nation.
Senator Wads worth, of New York,
chairman Of the subcommittee, sa!d
tonight tho Legislation would be put
T.ccss OF Congress for presentation to
the iull committee when the Senate
r-cOuvcncs.
The legislation as agreed upon by
The subcommittee. Senator Wadsworth
sad, is completely new and bears no
resemblance TO the army rcorganiza-
and transmitted 10 the House and Sen
ate Military Committees by Secretary
Baker
While various minor details OF The
plan remain TO be worked out. the
committees present agreement Sena-
tor Waisworth said. calls for :, per
mhncnt standing peace army Of 2sO.rG0.
although the c"mmittec may possibly
reduce this number IN the final dra f
of the bill The smallest possibl" stand
ing army that Will meet the demands
oc this country is the aim OF tho sub
committee, Chairman Wsdsworth said
Plan Ono Hig Army.
one big army. composed OF the regu-
.''i army rs now recognized, and a
reserve citizen army il provided in
the tentative legislation Df tho Ia, =
Ter army the National Guard would he
part. although the details OF the or
Enni2ntion Of that service remain to be
worked ont.
r.ouths within the prescribed asc
limits would be required To take four
Visions Visions raade n,,.'r r@r ttIlf'E ttfr w'n nT9
army or tic Eation;,l Guard OF the
Tario9E states heing used in furnish
ever. would be given an opporfuniiv y
70 elect either taking this training In
lump or OF Joining tho National Guard
lor liked period, during which they.
would receive the same amount or
tran!nE as prescribed for the four
mouths period.
upon completion of this training the
recruits would he placed in :, reserve
IriIE Tor period Of five years bur
und"r no conditions Senator Wads-
ca led n19n 20 PERFORM military SER
wee except in case OF Il declaration
az war.
mulsory military training" Senato-
" ellsworth said. there Will be no pro
Vision made for conf mpulsory military
Another Departure.
Another radical departure from ,rc
present military system! vii be the sub
St,sutiom sat,, ,,.o Of the term service for
80 49, .'''N .~'pll JGiIS MADE tor dos -
h'tihS n. guartcrnaSter, judge advo-
cat" ordnance and siIn.ar branches as
services. Promotions. tn, Bill pru-
N!hcs would be guided by eligibility y
instead al seniority, selections bciut.
made from "a selected list.
ne subcommittee also plans 20 over
rni. the recommendations of Sccretnr,.
Haker and General March. chiaf 81
stan. 10 have tho chemical warfarc
service combined with the encinrcrin,-
coEpS, and instead will make the for
iner separate service along with
branches ''' - 'o''
similar legislation also is bejn-
worked out by the House Military sun
committee, which Acting Chairman
Anthony said tonight will have il .
arm reorganization bill ready to ho
taken un in the House carly ncx,
month. CnGer plans Of the House
commlttec; however. the ncace army
VIII include approximately 500 1or en-.
lStcd men and $4,000 officers Con-
SihcrAt!on Of tho War Departments
Tecoinmc cndations for compulsory m;iis
t"rN training, how ever. have been nust
Poied by the committee.
~ now planned the House bill yyiu
H,h'htaln the present status of ihc
Ecttl"nal Guard. II viii aJso proyjJe
1nor a 'pluckinc board" CONSISTING ~
nvo general officers. TO weed out "doa,l
''"'ocr among the commissioned men