The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-26
REFUSE ID INCLUDE ENFORCED TRAINING
 IN NEW ARMY BILL
Committee Votes to Report Reorganization Bill, Minus Universal Training, Pro-
 viding For 299,OOO Men
nr A,,.cI,,.s ,rs.,

! 1J StseCtatoe FrSes
 Washington, February 25.-Meeting the z demand of republican leaders. the House military committe by a bipartisan vote today refused 10 include universal mili- tary training in the army reorganization bill which will be formally reported to- morrow by Chairman Kahn. Sharp oppo- sition to the reorganization programme is floor, and it may be attacked earlier by a minority report.
 In rejecting immediate consideration of the training plan. the committee voted that it should become the subject of sepa- rate legislation to be framed by a friend ly" subcommittee of seven named by Mir, Kahn, with an agreement of the leaders that it's 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 question until the next ses- sion.
 With this temporary disposal of uni varsal training, the committee voted 10 to ( to report the reorganization bill, pro viding for a maximum peace-time army of 177o0 officers and 299,000 enlisted men, including the Philippine scouts and unas- signed recruits.
 Unlike the national defense act of 1915, which the new bill would amend no oen- mite tactical formation of the army IS prescribed, this being left discretionary with the President. This feature IS among the principal causes or the sharp opposition by the minority
 TO OFFER AMENDMENTS
 Supporters of universal traioning plan to offer amendments to force House ac- hy1T QnpOQQntS Of the scheme hope to frustrate these at tempts through parliamentary tactics Although the separate training bill was ordered prepared lat the earliest prac- tical date" even it's supporters were doubtful of consideration for months. MT. Kahn, however. announced that ne expected an early report to follow s'thorough' investigation.
 Republican leaders, opposing the plan appearance in sthe army bill, included the members of the legislative steering com n,ittee. who based their objection pr,a- cipaliy on the ground that action should be deferred until the party's stand was outlined by it's national convention III June. They also agreed that House adop- ton of the plan was impossible at pres ent
 Announcement of the committee vote on it's reflection of training, virtual re- versal of it's previous decision, was with held beyond a statement that the cs- vision was II to 5. Four democrats ana seven republicans were nhaersloos s.e \, - Y have voted aga hst g declaration Tn fsvcr . of training, with the plan to become ef- Elective July l, 1922
 AVIATION ARM RECOGNIZED
 The reorganization bill recognizes avia- ton as a fourth arm of the army Aong with the infantry, cavalry and artillery, each service headed by major general The tank corps is included in the m fantry arm, and the chemical warrare pe- comes a separate corps to conduct e1- pertinent in gases Other new .servlces developed during the war, are rejected or consolidated in the older branches.
 Liberal provisions for building up the national guard are carried in the plll, including many of the recommendations advocated by guard officers. as the re- serve officers training corps in schools and colleges, reserve training camps and the citizens reserve
 While the bill provides for peace time army of more than 100000. troops stronger than the defense act even the supporters of the enlarged army were skeptical that it would soon become a reality. Some term it a paper army, pointing out that the slow rate Of re- cruiting since the armistice precluded the possibility of early enlistment of the nrw force.
 The combat strength is authorized to he 6o000 the remainder or the force being absorbed in the supply and admin istratiye services, and the Philippine scouts and unassigned recruits. The ln- fantry force is fixed at maximum strenrth of 10000 men and 4,20o officers, tho cavalry at % 800 men and seo officers the nsld artillery at 36. 800 men and 70 or ficers the coast artillery ct ss,oo0 men ana 2eo officers, and the air service at ls,oV | mon. Including cadet flyers, and l,al4 or AcerA -
 Al finance department Is established Dy Inc btu. its duties being strictly that o1 dishuryinx war department funds
 Purchase and transportation are placed in tho quarterrnasters corps but the sarzfness dealings of the department art placed in the charge Of an assistant secretary of war. The general stair | limited to duties of "a general staff nature" its personnel being enjoined un- der tho bill from assuming or engas- anx in work of administrative nature
 In fixing the various grades of offi- cers. the bill provides for only one gen era1-the rank held by John J. Pershing- and directf that the office shall cease te exist when a vacancy occurs"
 Twenty-two major generals are author ized and forty-six brigadiers
 Nurses. included in the medical corps are given relative rank with officers
 (Centinued en Page Two)