New-York tribune., 1921-06-07
Borall Fears 6
Billion Federal
Budget i'm 1922
I'VE Have Got to Cut Ex-
penses Regardless" Says
Senator III Opposing
100000 Army Measure
Wadsworth Backs Bill
Sees Disaster to National
Forces if Ranks Are Re-
dlced to 100000 Men
From The Tribunc,s WASHINGTON Bureau

from me Irsounc's washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 6.--Declaring
his purpose TO endeevor to hold the
army appropriation bill down to the
level of 10000 men, Senator Borah, of
daho, expressed the belief in debate
IN the Senate to-day that the govern
ment expend lures for the coming fs-
"a, year would be between $500 ,000,-
900 and s6.o0o0 100000.
We have got to cut expenditures al
most regardless" said Senator Borah.
He asserted it was quite as important
of the country as the morale of the
army. He gave warning that the
budget law was sure to prove "a de-
lusion and o snare" Unless the depart
ments and Congress exercised economy.
He urged the necessity of carrying
out promptly the campaign pledge to
end the technical state CT war.
Senator Wadsworth, chairman OF the
Senate Military Committee. in explain
ing the bill to the Senate, held that to
reduce the strength of the army to the
House figures would be disastrous. He
argued for the 10000 of the Senate
bill. He pointed out that though the
House bill was referred to as providing
for 10000 men. as a matter of fact
under the House bill at the end of the
coming fiscal year the number would be
about 10000.
The House bill means utter disaster
to the army" said Senator Wadsworth.
To-day's discussion marked the be-
ginning of controversy over the size
of the army in the Senate which gives
every promise of being animated and
earnest, though it will not be as pro-
tracted as the struggle over the navy
appropriation measure, which has Just
been staged in the upper House
Friends OF the larger army believe they
viii win in the Senate in the end and
will be able to provide for 10000 men.
lowed by a struggle in conference be-
tween the two houses.
Senator Wadsworth in bringing ND
the bill, said that in the last three
years, the estimates of the War De-
partment for the army had been cut
$780, 100000 by Congress.
He said that Secretary of War
Weeks had made special request that
the army be not reduced below 17b,-
600 men. He pointed out the House
bill, which calls for an average of
100000 men next fiscal year, would re-
quire the discharge of 100000 men. He
said further that Secretary Weeks had
stated that if the House bill passed
there would not be a combat unit large
enough to take the field in an emer-
gency.
THE cuts are drastic and savage"
said Senator Wadsworth
Senator Hitchcock took the position
that if the House bill would mean re-
duction to 10000 it was feasible to
put in provision which would make
100000 the minimum and still bring
about important reductions under the
Senate comm ttee bill. s .f
Senator Borah said nothing but a
drastic and savage" reduction would
save the situation. He said he believed
the army could be cut to 100000.
ITO reduce it to 10000" he said,
seems to me wholly in reason. 1t
looks to me that nothing but pride will
keep it where it u.s."
Senator Borah insisted there would
be far less need for troops here for
police protection if the tax burdens in
the next five years were materially re-
duced.