New-York tribune., 1920-01-27
Army Training
Bill Wins, 9-5,
In Committee
Measure Ordered Favorablv
Reported Requires Com
pulsory Military Service
by Boys From l8 to q
Appropriations Cut Seen
Vadsworth Predicts Reduc.
ton of Present Outlay of !
Billion to 500 Million

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-By a vote
Of nine to five. the Senate Military
Committee to-day approved provisions
providing for compulsory military
.-aining for boys between eighteen and
tventy-one years, inclusive, and or
dsred favorable report upon the army
reorganization bill.
The compulsory military training
provision, which fixes the training Pc
rod at four months, was opposed in the
committee by Senators Lenroot wis
eonsin) and Capper (Kansas), Repub-
l;csns. and Senator's Mcclellan (Tennes-
see), Sheppard (Texas) and Kirby
Arkansas. Democrats. Senators Wads-
worth New York;, Warren (Wyoming),
Sutherland West Virginia). New (1n-
diana, Frelinghuysen New Jersey.
Knox Pennsylvania and Spencer
Missouri, Republicans, and Chamber
lain Oregon and Thomas (Colorado). .
Democrats supported it. Senator Nc
Ksllsr announced that he would submit
minority report. in which a number
Of the Senators who opposed the plan
are expected 10 concur.
Provides for Two Armies
As finally agreed upon, the bill is
virtually the same as reported by the
subcommittee, but is radically differ
enr from the reorganization bill sub
nitted by the War Department to Con-
sress. In addition to establishing com
- I,
vides for the establishment Of one
a-ny, to be divided into citizen army
composed Of men who have received the
compulsory training. standing army
consisting OF 100000 enlisted men and
1900 officers. and National Guard.
Specific provision is made in the bill
that the citizen army cannot be called
70 the colors except in case of dec
laraton of war.
To accommodate the eeserve force
built up under the system of military
training, provision is made in the bill
tor an annual reduction of per cent
in the enlisted strength Of the regular
army and 2 per cent in the number of
enlisted officers for the first five years
This will mean, Chairman Wadsworth
explained. that at the end of five years
the regular army will be reduced by
10000 men and 1900 commissioned Off
GERS, which will greatly decrease the
cost Of maintaining the military estab-
lishment
The bill also would place all youths
who have undergone the four months
military training on the reserve list,
to be subject 10 two weeks training
annually. Under an amendment by
Senator Spencer, Republican, of Mis-
sorri dependents Of such youths dur
ing training would receive an allow
ance the same as now provided under
the war risk insurance act.
Will Cut Army Appropriations
Establishment Of the Office of Under
Secretary Of War, who would be
charged with the solution of the great
industrial anG business problems in
yo.ved IN the procurement of military
supplies is provided. hut the commit
tee upon Secretary Bakers recommen-
dations. eliminated provisions which
would work to make General Pershing
chief OF staff in place of General
March, the present chief of staff.
The bill if passed as drafted, Sena-
tor Wadsworth SAID tonight, will re-
duce expenditures for the military es-
Enlistment by .approximately one
half. Estimates for the War Depart
ment and the army for this coming
year. he said, are placed at $l,100 00o,-
900, while the proposed bill would not
require more than approximately $500
100000 annually.
Senator Wadsworth said he would
report The bill to the Senate possibly
tomorrow, and would seek to call it
up for consideration at the earliest
possible moment. Owing to other
measures now pending he hardly ex-
poets TO bring it up in the Senate be-
fnre neY. r,.nnl.