South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-18
HOUSE SPLIT IN
THREE FACTIONS
ON ARMY'S Size
Discussion of Appropriation
Brings Debate on Strength
of Defense.

WASHINGTON. March IL A
difference Of opinion was voiced by
republican leaders in the house to-
day over the size Of the army dur
ing consideration Of the army ap-
preparation bill No sooner had
Chairman Kahn. of the military af-
fairs committee, expressed opposition
to any reduction in the enlisted or
officer strength than Rep. Mondell,
republican leader. declared he ap-
proved action of the subcommittee
which framed the bill. in providing
that by July l, the enlisted person
mel Of the regular army must be cut
TO rs. 900 men and the number of
officers decreased to Il, 600.
General debate was concluded late
today and indications were that the
house would reach a vote tomorrow
or Monday on sections of the bill re-
lating TO the size Of the army.
Three Factions In Fight.
With party lines disregarded 10 a
certain extent, the house member
ship appeared 10 be divided into
three main groups-one determined
10 stand by the committee recon-
mendatiOns, another preparing to
demand an army of 10O,O 900 men,
while the third was lining up in
/ support of the war department,
/ which requ ested a pay allowance
sufficient to ~aintain 100000 men
and 13, 600 officers during the coming
I fiscal year.
Republican members were said to
/ be represented in all three camps,
while most Of the democrats were
/ expected by their leaders TO join the
"smah army forces. Rep. Sisson,
Mississippi, one of the democratic
members Of the subcommittee in
charge Of the bill, having announced
4 he would offer an amendment to re
duce the number Of enlisted men to
( 1 90 900.
False Economy To Cut"
During his address to the house
/ Nh Kahn took the position it would
\ be false economy TO order toe
drastic a cut in tn army's size. He
reminded his colleagues that repub-
/ Leans and democrats alike during
the early stages of the war had stood
] behind a democratic president in an
attempt TO build up on efficient fight
/ ing machine The splendid exam
pie" set then, he added, should be a
! lesson" to the appropriations com
mittee, which he contended, in re
porting the army appropriation bill
/ had disregarded the expressed wish
/ es of the administration relative tc
( enlisted and officer personnel. He
I read a letter from Sec'y Hughes in
which objection was voiced to with
5rawal Of all regular army troops
/ stationed in China. as proposed in
the bill
Mr.. Morden. declaring that the
subcommittee which drafted the bill
had not gone too far in providing
pay for no more than $4,000 mer
and Il, 600 officers. said he was con-
WINGED efficiency would not he sacri-
feed. that the force would be sufi-
cient for all peace time purposes and
that it could be quickly expanded
into an efficient fighting organization
4 in case Of an emergency.
Green Comes To Kahn's Aid.
Mr.. Kahn had the support Of Rep
NAlt GENE III CT lilOMlr IED4UlAi CLl
member of the military affairs com
mittee and also member OF the re
publican steering committee who
/ protested particularly against the
reduction n the officer strength. and
Rep. Dali niger. republican. Massa
chusetts, WHO expressed vigorous op.
position 10 the committee recon
mendations.
During the debate. Rep Harrison
Virginia. a democratic member o.
the Subcommittee Of FIVE which
drafted the bill declared that Sec
Weeks after insisting a few week.
ago on an army OF 10000 men. wa
now showing a Willingness to accep
"a reduction that would bring the en-
/ listed personnel down 10 10000
slightly hr1Ovv the u~lcanf q rar1 ~ p