The New York herald., 1921-01-15
Estimated Saving in Pay
Placed at S100,000.000,
and Effective in An
other Year.
HOUSE STILL TO ACT
Action Overrides Protest of
Wadsworth, Head of the
Military Affairs Conf
mittee.
WOULD HALT RECRUITING
Effort Of Commanding Cen
eral to Stop Cut at 100000
and Appeal From Baker
Are Disregarded.
Special DespotcJ to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Jan. IA.

SbCcidi Despatch TO TILE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Jan. IL.
BY vote Of "a 10 % the Senate to-
day ordered reduction in the size OF
the army to 10000 officers and men
over the protest of Senator Wads-
worth IN. Y.), chairman Of the Mill
tary Affairs Committee, and against
the advice of Secretary of War Baker
and Cen Pershing
The authorized strength of the
army is now 100000. its actual
strength being about $4,000, of whicn
approximately 10000 are stationed In
America. while the remainder are in
Germany and American Colonial pos
sessions
According to unofficial estimates. the
proposed reduction will lop off nearly
500, ,000, 600 Of appropriations annually
for pay in the army by the time it be-
comes effective. which it is thought
will be in a little less than one year.
The reduction will be effected by ces
sation of enlistments which have been
proceeding under the direction Of Sec
retary Baker at the rate of about
1000 n day. The House has 10 act on
the resolution bcfcfs x errofaeS iar
Prior to the vote tiic' Sernb cei
tary Baker and Gen ,erxA!T% ltAa aA,7
| peared before tho Seuatn Mfitegs
! fairs Committee, strongly ufxr x nsN xM
/ duction in enlistmc1rs bcxa'td- - s-sas
\ Gen. Pershing said that in his opinion
world conditions made II unsafe for
| America to go below that figure in cut
! ting our military force. Secretary Baker
also advised that if a reduction was to
be made to 175.ooo. which had been rec
commended by the Military Affairs Com
mittee. the percentage Of reduction
should be uniform for all branches o.
the service. At the same time he OF
/ posed any reduction below the 10000"
I limit
/ THE wreck OF the army is about COM
plete.' Senator Wadsworth said TO tie
Senate after the vote had been taken
/ on the amendment by Senator Lenroo.
| (Wis) to the resolution OF Senator New
| CInd) providing for an army of $4,000.
| His verdict was confirmed by Senator
| New.
| 'T think we could have safely gone 70
an army OF 10000" said the Indiana
| Senator, but ] am in complete accord
with the Senator from New York ths
any reduction below that figure is un-
safe"
Having agreed 10 the Lenroot amend
ment. the Senate approved Senator
| Wadsworth's amendment providing that
| all branches Of the service shall be re
| cruited up to 53Ia per cent. OF their au-
! thorized strength which totals 100000
| He explained 10 the Senate that this IL
| necessary in order 70 prevent completn
wlping out Of some branches. particu-
larly the combat branches of the infan-
try the chemical warfare service. the air
service and the field artillery.
"If this amendment is not adopted.
said Senator wadsworth. ''thc War De
partment will not be able TO maintain
proper balance in the various branches.
/ 1t will not raise the army above 1906
/ but IL will permit some new enlistments
for men in branches now below the per
ccntage fixed by the Senate. Therefore
70 will retard slightly the reduction OF
the entire army because il will authorize
the Secretary OF war to continue some
recruiting"
lie explained that his amendment has
nothing to do with officers but applies
only TO enlisted men.
During the session OF the Military Az
fairs Committee. Secretary Baker urged
early action on the bill TO create the
grade OF Northumberland in the
Army so that its provisions may apply
TO Major-Gen. Liggett lie reaches re-
tirement age March 81 next. and VIII
have TO retire as a maior-gcncral in-
stead OF n acknowledgement II the bul
is not passed before that ,imc. Othcf-
wise he is 10 be honored by retirement
with the higher rank. Tho same prov-
sions VIII apply 70 Major-Gens. Bul'ard
and March. when they reach rctircmens
age. should Congress pass the bill.