New-York tribune., 1920-02-26
Training Plan
Is Eliminated
From Army Bill
House Committee by Bipar.
tisan Vote Reports the
Measure With No Refer
ence to Universal Service
Separate Law Favored
Effort Will Be Made to Bring
Issue Up ON Floor; Bitter
Fight Is Now Anticipated

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25-Meeting
the demand of Republican leaders. the
House Military Committee by a BIZ
partisan vote to-day refused to include
universal military trainino in the army
reorganization bill, which will be for
mally reported tomorrow by Chair
man Kahn.
sharp opposition to the reorganiza-
non program Is assured when the bill
reaches the House floor, and it may be
attacked earlier by minority report.
In rejecting immediate consideration
OF the training plan the committee
voted that it should become the subject
OF separate legislation, to be framed
by friendly" subcommittee of seven
named by Mr.. Kahn. with an agreement
OF the leaders that its consideration
would not be blocked after thorough
inquiry had been made of the cost and
economic effects. This investigation is
expected to delay action on the oues-
ton until the next session.
IrOVlues Z9J,OO0 Army
with this temporary disposal of uni
versal training the committee voted 10
10 TO report the reorganization bill,
providing for maximum peace-time
army of 17,700 officers and $4,000 en-
listed men, including the Philippine
Scouts and unassigned recruits.
Unlike the national defense act of
1916, which the new bill would amend
no definite tactical formation of the
army is prescribed. this being left dis
cretionary with the President. This
feature is among the principal causes
Oh the sharp opposition by the minority
supporters OF universal training plan
to offer amendments to force House
action on the question: but opponents
OF the scheme hope to frustrate these
attempts through parliamentary tactics
Although the separate training bill was
ordered prepared "at the earliest prac-
'lcal Date" even its supporters were
doubtful Of consideration for months
-Ar. Kahn, however, announced that he
expected an "early" report to follow
Thorough" investiga ton
Republican leaders opposing the
plans appearance in the army bill in
cluded the members of the legislative
steering committee, who based their
objection principally on the ground
that action should be deferred until
the party's stand was outlined by its
national convention in June They also
agreed that House adoption of the
plan was impossible at present.
Announcement of the committee vote
on Its rejection of training, virtual
reversal of its previous decision, was
withheld beyond a statement that the
division was II to 5. Four Democrats
and seven Republicans were understood
to have voted against declaration in
favor Of training, with the plan to be-
come effective July |, 1922.
Recognizes Aviation
The reorganization bill recognizes
aviation as fourth arm Of the army
along with the infantry. cavalry nd
artillery, each service headed by a
major general. The tank corps is in
cluded in the infantry arm. and the
chemical warfare service becomes q
separate corps, to conduct experiments
in gases. Other new services developed
during the war are rejected or CON
solidated in the older branches.
Liberal provisions for building UP the
National Guard are carried in the bill.
including many of the recommended
tions advocated by Guard officers The
reserve officers training corps in
schools and colleges, reserve training
camps and the citizens reserve arc
continued.
While the bill nrovides fo,. q rooco-