New-York tribune., 1919-06-26
Senate Appropriation of
$4,000, 900 for Aviation
Also To Be Opposed as
Not Needed at Present
Kahn to Lead Campaign
War Department Accused
of Hurrying Land Deals
to Anticipate Protests

WASHINGTON, June 25.-The army
appropriation bill, carrying $888,000,-
600 and providing for an average army
of 100000 men next year-an increase
over the House bill of $171 100000 in
funds and 100000 in personnel-was
passed late to-day by the Senate with
out roll call and sent to conference.
The action Of the Senate increasing
the strength of the army to 100000 in
vigorously contested by the House.
Chairman julius Kahn of the Mill
tary Affairs Committee announced to-
day the House will stand by it's origi-
nal provision for an army of 100000.
1t also will oppose Senate amendments
increasing the appropriation for army
aviation from $15,000,000 to $35,000,J00
and the amendment eliminating me
House provision forbidding the pur-
chase of real estate by the War Depart
ment for camp purposes.
Opposition to these changes will not
be carried to the point Of creating a
deadlock that will hold up army funds
beyond July /, Mr.. Kahn said. An ap
preparation of $25 100000 for aviation,
it was indicated, might prove an &C.
ceptab!e compromise on this point.
Kahn to Lead Fight
The conferrees who will be charged
with the duty of making the House
fight will be Chairman Kahn, Repre-
sentative Anthony. of Kansas. and Rep
resentative Dent, of Alabama.
"The first thing we shall attempt to
do will be to determine the size of the
average army needed for the coming
fiscal year," Mr.. Kahn said. "The House
foc oV,d ho TO
for 100000. 1 know the House Is
strongly opposed to the larger figure.
"The Senate Committee on Military
Affairs suggested in debate that an
averaging army Of $4,000 would bring
our military force during the fiscal year
of 1920 down to 225,00O. This is exact
ly in accord with the maximum figure
of the national defence act. l favor
bringing the armed force down to the
number allowed by this existing law
until we have entirely reorganized the
army"
AS to aviation, the House favors it's
fullest development, but does not be-
lieve so large an appropriation is neces-
Sary.
"Aviation will, of course, be an i'm
portant factor in all future wars" Mr..
Kahn said II am in favor of such an
appropriation as will enable US to keep
up our experiments and maintain an
efficient nucleus for fighting air per-
sonnel. l do not think, however, we
should 'expend money in favor OF one
branch of the service at the expense of
any other"
Land Purchases Hastened
Information had been given him. Mr..
Kahn continued, that the War Depart
ment was rushing land purchases in
order to have as much land bought and
paid for as possible before further pur-
chases are prohibited.
"The House has stood steadfastly
against the purchase of additional camp
sites at this time," he added. "The
next appropriation bill will be taken up
at the regular session in December. In
the mean time the necessity for purchas-
ing additional land can be investigated
Some of the land it is proposed to
purchase now is rated at 81 200 an acre
it is probable that search will reveal
Just as good property that will be much
cheaper to buy. | would not be sur
prised if the House stands firmly
against the land purchase projects"
Changes BY Senate
AS passed by the Senate, the prin
cipal items of the army bill are: $215,
885, 1000 for army pay, $523,991 900 fo1
subsistence and transportation, $54,
100000 for aviation, an increase o.
about S30,OOOOOO over the House ap
preparations; $12,215,000 for the Ma
tional Guard, $19,OOO,000 for ordnance
and $45,O00,000 for storage and ship
ping facilities.
| The Senate reduced from $3,26o,oo'