The Washington herald., 1921-02-27
SENATEPASSES
ARMY BILL FOR
l75,OOO FORCE
Action Conflicts With
House and Disagreement
May Kill Measure.
GIVES PROMOTION
TO TWO GENERALS
Size of Standing Military
Establishment Causes
Spirited Debate.

priation bill providing for an army
Of 175.ooo men.
The Senate action means a vio-
lent conflict with the House, which
voted for an army of 10000 men.
The difference between the two
branches may keep the measure
from passing this session.
LIggett Promoted.
I Another amendment authorizes
the President to make lieutenant
| generals two major generals who
led American armies in the field
during the war. This applies only
to Maj. Gems. Hunter Liggett and
Robert L. Bullard. Liggett retires
March 81, and Gen. Pershing urged
provision be made for his promotion.
The bill as finally passed carries
sss2,s1s.o0o.
The size of the American army,
Funder the reduction proposed by
both Houses of Congress, was the
ubject of debate In the Senate when
consideration began on the bill.
The Senate Military Committee,
in order to provide for an army of
lotment from S72,67S,659. as fixed
House bill provided for 10000 men.
Figures of Army.
Senator Wadsworth, chairman OF
the Senate Military Committee. de-
clared that while the bill provided
for an average strength" of 1885,
900, it actually would be necessary
to reduce the army to 10000 by
January 1922. because of the pres
ent size
He estimated the enlisted strength
today at 100000. saying this would
4 be cut to 100000 by the beginning
Eof the -next tBscai year The House
| appropriation he said. would COM
| pei an eventual reduction to 10000.
| wadsworth said he had absolute
faith" that the new administration
would not enlist more men than
were provided for in the pay ap-
propriations.
An amendment increasing the ap-
preparation for the air service from
s19,20e,0o0 to $23,000.o 900 was adopt
ed by the Senate. Another amend
ment authorized the Secretary of
War to grant applications for dis
charge OF enlisted men who have
| served one year with satisfactory
records. regardless of the existing
provisions respecting discharges.
ID. C. Plan Authorised.
| Included in the army appropria-
tion bill which passed the Senate
last night was an item providing
$500, 900 for the commencing. of work
on the Tyler plan for the increasing
of the Districts water supply.
The item was placed in the bill by
an amendment introduced by SEN
ator Howard Sutherland. of West
Virginia. When Senator Sutherland
offered his amendment. Senator Fre-
linghuysen, of New Jersey, raised a
point of order on the grounds that
the amendment carried legislation
and therefore could not be included
in an appropriation bill. Upon being
Informed of the need for immediate
action on the matter Senator Fre-
linghuysen withdrew his objection
and the amendment was accepted.
Now Goes to House.
The total cost for carrying out
the plan for increasing the Dis
trict's water supply as submitted
by Mai. Tyler is estimated at So
100000. The initial appropriation
included in the army bill Is "for
the preparation of plans, the ini-
tiation of work, including the en-
ployment of all necessary engineer
ing, technical, clerical and other
services. and for any and every pur-
pose connected Herewith, for the
increased water supply for the Dis
tirct of Columbia, in accordance
with the Potomac project 'E' de-
ssribed in the report submitted jan
uary 10, 1921, by Maj. NJ. c. Tyler
corps of engineers, to remain avail
able until expended"
The bill, owing to the inclusion
of the amendment in the Senate
will now go into conference, but
under the new ruling the House
conferees will be unable to agree
to the amendment and the bill will
have to come before the House
probably Monday, for the action OF
the entire body. /.
Borah Issues Threat.
Although Senate leaders were able
to rush the army appropriations bill
through, their efforts ito give the
navy bill a favored place were frus-
trated by Senator Borah, Idaho, who
threatened a filibuster that would
cause failure of several important
bills.
The fate of, this legislation now
depends upon the attitude Borah
adopts Monday. when efforts to take
the navy appropriation and emerg-
ency tariff bills will be made.
| Borah will insist at that time. he
said last night, that the resolution
repeating war laws be given prefer
ence and he was virtually assured
by Senate leaders that this would
be done. Senator Thomas, Colorado,
however, may make a long talk
against the repeal.
Congressional leaders are trying
to get all this legislation through
SO that the Harding administration
will not be faced with the task of
passing appropriately bills when 1t
Il