The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-03-17
NEW Bill SLASHFS
SIZE OF THE ARMY
MEASURE REPORTED BY
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Reduction In Number Enlisted
Men, Officers And Amount For
Activities In War Department
Are Made; Requires The Return
Home Of Many Overseas Troops

Washington, %. c., March 13.-With
provisions which would necessitate
reduction of the size of the regular
Army TO $4,000 enlisted men and H.,
900 officers. the army appropriation
bill, carrying s27O, 1853. OSO.S7, was re-
ported today by the house appropria-
tons committee.
The amount recommended for the
military and non military activities
OF the war department during the
coming fiscal year is q reduction of
S116.000,0 900 from the total appropri
sted for the current year and $751;
996,0S6.s0 less than budget estimates.
As drafted BIZ a sub committee
teaded BY Representative Anthony,
republican, Kansas, the bill would
require the return TO the United
States by next July ! Of all troops
stationed in China, $500 men from
Hawaii, about 1000 men from the
Panama canal zone and al! but 500
officers and men N the army Of oc-
cupation on the Rhine No limitation
is placed on the number of men TO
be maintained in the Philippines.
The Contemplated Withdrawals.
The contemplated Withdrawals, it
was said, would leave 5000 men in
the Hawaiian Islands and a like mum
Der in the canal zone. The present
actual strength of the army was Civ
en- by the committee as about $4,000
officers and $4,000 men exclusive OF
1000 Philippine scouts.
An appropriation of 1885, $50 IS
recommended for continuance of work
On various river and harbor improve
ments, or which the chief of engi-
1eers requested $4S,000,000; $12,431. =
600 for the air service against S15,-
100000 requested and S21.13O 200 for
the national guard, about $4,000. 900
less than budget estimates. ~.
Provides For Chemical! Warfare.
The committee recommended $500 :
200 for the chemical warfare service
declaring that sum sufficient to pro
VIDE for minimum amount of de =
velopment work and training along
lines compatible with present 4condi
lions. An appropriation of So, $780,
900 Is recommended foe supplies and
equipment OF the reserve = officers
training corps, and $500. 900 for ci-
Vliian military training camps
The bill carried $7,74o,09o for the
ordnance department to meet. intaddi =.
ton to other expenses, the cost of
maintaining a skeleton force at ar
senals Ito keep alive the knowledge
OF the method of manufacture
The amount carries in the bill for
seacoast Notifications, the COMMITTEE
reported, would not provide for any
new projects, but would go entirely
Tor maintenance of existing forfifica :.
Gons and for continuing the con
struotion OF limited number of sea
coast guns.
Rivers and Harbor improvements.
The total recommended for river
and harbor Improvements, about SI5-
100000 less than the amount sought
by the chief of engineers, is carried
as lump sum and projects on which
work would be continued are not spe-
cited. None of the appropriation
would 20 for new projects. however
For the subsistence of the army
the committee recommended SIG.
$4,000 approximately $13, 600. 900 less
than last years appropriation. the de-
crease being brought about by re.
auction to thirty cents per ration.
An appropriation of $425, 900 is rec
commended, for the construction. re-
pair and maintenance of roads, bridg
es and trails in Alaska.
Great Britain Makes Cut.
London. March 13.-The British
army estimates for the coming wear
total 62,300,000 pounds sterling as
compared with 93,714,00O pounds
sterling last year, it was ANNOUNCED
In the House of Commons today. The
naval estimates total S4,SS3, 700 pounds