The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-02-26

House Committee Shelves Fea-
ture of Army Bill
WILL BE INVESTIGATED
"FrIendiy" Committee to Keep II Out
Of Sight Until After November
Contest

Washington, Feb. 25.-Meeting the
demand of Republican leaders, the
House military commi tee by BIZ
Ipartisan vote refused today to include
universal military training in the
army reorganization bill which will
Ibe reported tomorrow by Representa-
tive Kahn (Cay), chairman Of the
commit ee. Sharp opposition to the
reorganization programme is assured
when the bin reaches the House floor,
and 1t may be attacked earlier by a
minority report.
In rejecting immediate reconsidera.-
tion of the training plan the commi :
tee voted that II should become the
subject of separate legislation to be
framed by a friendly" subcommit ee
OF seven named by Mr.. Kahn, with an
agreement of the leaders that its con-
Isideration would not be blocked after
a thorough inquiry had been made of
the cost and economic effects. This
linyestiga ion Is expected to delay ac-
| lion until after the Presidential and
Congressional eection.
With this disposal of universal train
ling the committee voted 10 to 6 o re-
port the reorganization bill providing
for maximum peace time army of
il7.700 officers and 299 900 enlisted
men, including the Philippine scouts
and unassigned recruits. No definite
tao ical formation of the army prs,
Iscrihed this being lewt discretionary
with the President This feature Is
among the principal causes of the
sharp opposition by the minority.
Supporters of universal training
purpose to offer amendmen to force
House action on the question, but op-
ponents of the scheme hope TO frus-
Itrate these attempts through parlia-
men airy tactics. Republican leaders
opposing the pans appearance in the
army bill included the members of
the legis ative steering committee.
who based their objection principally
on the ground that action should be
deferred until he party's stand was
outlined by its national convention In
June. Four Democrats and seven Re-
publicans were understood to have
voted against declaration in favor
of training with the plan to become
effec i've in July /, 1929 Five favor
ed action now.
The Reorganization bi.l recognizes
aviation as a fourth arm of the army
along with the infantry. cavalry and
artillery, each service headed by
nnjor-general. The ;ank corps is in
Guided in the Infantry arm ana the
chemical warfare service becomes ;
separate corps to conducs exper.-
mcnts in gases. Other new services,
d 'yeloped during ;he war, are reject.
ed or consolidated In the older
branches
Liberal provisions for building ur
the National Guard are carried in the
bill, inc cudng many OF the recommen-
datons advocated by guard officers.
The reserve officers, training corps
in schools and colleges. reserve rain.
ing camps and the citizens reserve
are continued.
Even the supporters of the enlarged
army were skeptical that 1t would
soon become a reality. Some term it
a paper army" The combat streng h
is authorized to be 250,00O The In
fantry force is fixed at maximum
strength of 10000 men. and 1900 Of
ficers the cavalry at 205o0 and $50
officers the field artillery at 36.590
men and 1000 officers, the coast ar
iillery at $4,000 men and 1900 OIL
GERS and the air service at 5000 mon.
including cadet flyers and 1,514 Off
GERS