The Washington herald., 1920-04-06
ARMY TRAINING
PROPOSAL NOW
BEFORESENATE
Wadsworth Opens Debate
By Defending Universal
Drill Policy.
FOES OF PLAN ARE BUSY
Hitchcock Holds 1t Un-
necessary to Provide
New Reserve Force.
FOES OF PLAN ARE BUSY
Hitchcock Holds 1t Un-

Senator wadsworth, Of New York,
yesterday opened the battle for
universal military training. His re-
marks drew fire from several Sena-
tors opposed to the measure on the
ground of economy" Mr.. wads-
worth dismissed such arguments as
arrived at by utterly fallacious
ways"
I The opponents of universal train
Ing did not open their attack on
the measure. The Senator from
New York anticipated them by de-
workable and democratic" and that
sit would: IL enacted, give US for
the first time in our history a sound
military policy in keeping with
our Constitutional and geographical
position"
Three Announce Opposition.
Senators Mcclellan, Democrat, of
Tennessee. and Lenroot, Republican,
of Wisconsin. began the presenta-
ton of the arguments of those
who oppose military training on the
ground of economy" Senator
Hitchcock. Democrat, Nebraska, at
tackled the measure on the ground
that 1t is not necessary to provide
for a new military reserve force In
Wow of the fact that approximately
100000 men are now available with
army training obtained in the re-
cent war with Germany"
Mr.. Hitchcock inquired II the
Wadsworth proposal did not in ef-
! feet constitute compulsory military
service since the men after the
training period would be liable to
service without further legislation
in the event of war. Mr.. wads-
worth dismissed the inquiry with
the statement that the bill did not
provide for compulsory service 'fn
time of peace" andethat in the event
of war all men between the ages
Of Is and IS would expect to be
liable for service
Disagree as to Cost.
The opponents Of universal train
ing estimate the cost for a four
months training period under the
wadsworth bill would be $500 per
man, OF a total of $1,000. 900, 900 a
year. Mr.. Wadsworth estimated
that the cost OF the army. under
universal military training. would
be about sS5S.oOO, 900 annually.
The House bill provides for 3oo.-
900 enlisted men and 1900 off,
GERS" Mr.. Wadsworth said. This
bill provides for 2so.ooo men and
Z 900 officers. At the end of six
years under the Senate bill the reg-
uIar army would be reduced to 210.-
900 enlisted men and 1920 officers.
The money saved by this progressive
cutting of the personel Of the reg
ular army would cover the cost of
universal training
Sees Need for Army.
why do we now require a regu-
lar army in excess of 10000 men 20
Senator Hitchcock inquired.
That inquiry involves a review
of the worlds condition at present,
and one mans guess is as good as
another" Mr.. Wadsworth replied.
Personally, 1 will not take re-
sponsibility for any bill that pro-
poses an army of less than 100000
men at this point in the worlds
affairs"
rs IL not a fact that we have
at this time several millions of
trained men?" Mr.. Hitchcock then
asked.
to ask the men who volunteered or
who submitted willingly to the draft
to bear the burdens of the coun-
try" Mr.. Wadsworth replied.
Merger In Provided.
This bill provides for four months
of intensive training with periods
of two weeks each in two successive
years for attendance at maneuvers,
total of five months out of an entire
life. Men would be liable for serv-
ice in the event of war within five
years of their initial training period.
I'VE seek In this bin to merge the
regular army and the National
Guard into one army"
Mr.. Wadsworth explained that the
bill undertook to remove the anoma-
lous situation growing out of the
dual authority over the National
Guard by reason of the militia clause
in the Constitution.
fPublic IAdrer Servfcol