Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-18
DISREGARD PARTY LINES
IN FIGHT ON ARMY BILL
House Expected to Reach a
Vote Either Today or
Monday.
MONIELI. APPROVES
Representative Harrison, Of Nirainia,
Who Aided In Drafting BiII. Says
Secretary Now shows Willingness
tO Acrcpt Reduction.
GBy Associated press.I

| WASHINGTON, March ia dif-
| ference of opinion was voiced by Re-
publican leaders in the House today
over the size OF the army during
consideration of the army appropria-
ton bill. No sooner had Chairman
| Kahn. oc the Military Affairs Com
mittce, expressed opposition to an,
reduction In the enlisted or officer
dell, Republican leader. declared he
approved action of the subcommittee.
which framed the bill in providing
that by July I, tho enlisted personnel
OF the regulur army must be cut to
ll5.Oo0 men ana the number of Of
ticcrs decided to 1000.
General debate was concluded late
today and indications were that the
House would reach vote tomorrow
or Monday on the sections OF the bill.
relating TO the size OF the army.
Party Lines Disrcger,ird.
With the party lines disregardcd
TO certain extent. the House mem
bcrship appeared to be divided into
three main Groups-one dctcrmIncu
to stand by the committee recon-
mendations, another preparing TO de-
| mand an army OF 100000 men. whilo
the third was lining up in support
OF the War Department. which re-
questcd pay allowance sufficient TO
maintain 10000 men and $4,000 Of
acers during the coming fiscal yeat
Republican members were said 10
be represented IN all three camps.
Most or the Democrats were cS-
pect.d by their leaders to join the
small army" forces. Representative
Sisson. Mississippi, one OF the DEM
ocratic members Of the subcommit-
tee, in charge OF the bill. having an
nounced he would offer an amend i.
ment to reduce tho number OF en-
listed men to 100000.
'.FniHc Economy"
During his address to the House.
Mt. Kahn took the position IL would
be false economy" to order too
drastic cut in the army's size. He
reminded his colleagues that Repub-
licans and Democrats. alike, during
The early stages of the war had stood
behind Democratic President In an
attempt To build up an efficient nEh,
| ing machine. The '.splend!d cy-
example set then should be q leg
son to tho Appropriations Committee.
which. he c"ntendel. in reporting the
army appropriation bill had disrc-
Sarded the expressed wishes of the
administration relative to enlisted
and officer personnel
The Californian read n letter from
| secretary Hughes. in which objec-
ton was voiced 10 withdrawal of all
| regular army troops stationed In
China. as proposed in the bill.
Relieves Force Sufficient.
Mr.. Mondeli. declaring that the
subcommittee which drafted the hill
had not gone too far in providing pay
for no more than 1850 men and H.
COO officers, said he was convinced
efficiency would not be sacrificed
that the force would be sufficient for
NIL reacc-time purposes. and that ii
could he quickly expanded into an
efficient hghtinG organization in ease
| of emergency.
| Mr.. Kahn had the support Of Rem
rcsentativc Greene, OF Vermont. n
Republican OF the Military Affairs
| Committee, and also u member OF the
| Republican steering committee, who
protested particularly against the
proposed reduction In the Office
| strength, anu Representative Dali
! niger, Republican. Massachusetts.
who expressed vigorous opposition
| to the committee recommendations.
During the debate Representative
| Harrison. Virginia Democratic
| member OF the subcommittee of five
ia, It'll. II - lS.t
Secretary Weeks, after insisting :,
few weeks ago on an army of l50.-
| GOO men was now showing willing
| ness to accept 4 rcduct II that wouit
bring the enlisted personnel down to
10000. slightly below the prcsen;
| strength.