The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-03-13
ARMY IS CUT
TO 126,O0O
IN new BILL
Army Appropriation Measure
Reported Provisions Fix
Size at $4,000 Enlisted
Men, II 900 Officers.
EXPENDITURES SLASHED
fBy Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, March 13. With
provisions which would necessitate re-
duction of the size of the regular
army to 115,000 enlisted men and H.
600 officers, the army appropriation
bill carrying s270, ,353, ,030.67 was report
ed today by the house appropriations
committee. The amount recommended
for the military and on-military activ-
tiles of the war department during the
coming fiscal year is reduction of
SIG, 900 from the total appropri-
ated for the current year and $S7,996,-
0S660 less than budget estimates.
| AS drafted by subcommittee head
ed by Representative Anthony (Rep.,
Kas.) the bill would require the ruturn
| to the United States by next July l
| of all troops staIoned in China, $500
| men from Hawaii, about 1900 men
! from the Panama canal zone and all
| but 500 officers and men in the army of
| occupation on the Rhine.
| Philippine Army
No limitation is proposed on the
number of men to be maintained in
the Philippines, the committees report
stating, however, that Secretary
Weeks believes that under present con-
ditions some reduction can be made
in the force there.
The contemplated Withdrawals, *
was said, would leave 5000 men in the
Hawaiian islands and a like number
in the canal zone. The present actual
Istrength of the army was given by
the committee as about $4,000 officers
and 10000 men, exclusive of 1000
Philippine scouts.
An appropriation of S27 7,635, ,2eO is
recommended for continuance of work
on various river and harbor improve
ments, for which the chief of engineers
requested s43,000,000 s12, 2,431 900 for
the air service against S15, ,000, 900 re-
quested, and s21 ,13O, 200 for the national
guard about s9,000,000 less than budget
festimates.
Chemical Service
The committee recommended $500
600 for the chemical warfare service,
declaring that sum sufficient to pro-
vide for a minimum amount of de-
. velopment work and training along
lines compatible with present condi-
tions" and for maintaining Edgewood
arsenal in standby condition. An ap-
preparation of S2.75O,0A0 is recon-
mended for supplies and equipment of
the reserve officers training corps
and s1,S00,000 for civilian military
camps.
The bill carries s7.74O,0eO for the
, ordnance department to meet, in ad
dition to other expenses, the cost of
maintaining a skeleton force at arsen-
ais ito keep alive the knowledge of
l@@ tl4I - E. II
, amount carried in the bill for sea-
coast Notifications, the committee re
,, ported, would not provide for any new
, projects, but would go entirely for
maintenance of existing fortifications
! and for continuing the construction of
a limited number of seacoast guns.
Rivers and Harbors
The total recommended for river
, and harbor improvement, about $15,-
600, 900 less than the amount sought
, by the chief of engineers, is carried
as a lump sum and projects on which
, work would be continued are not
specified. None of the appropriations
will go for new projects, however.
The subsistence of the army the CON-
mittee recommended sic, 900, ap-
proximately S13,000,000 less than last
years appropriation, the decrease be-
ing brought about by a reduction TO
so cents per ration
. The subcommittee. which spent
three months in holding hearings and
framing the bill, reported that "the
excessive cost of maintaining the regu-
lar army over prewar expenditures
: was found to be largely due TO the
q expensive methods of it's administra-
e ton" sit seems to be the fixed policy v
ri -tat t0a fill
: visions in Hawaii and Panama" the
d report said Except in times OF
emergency it is not believed such 4
t policy is justified as it will cost as
/ much to maintain these two divisions
: in Panama and Hawaii as our entire
e regular army cost us in the years fol
Z lowing the Spanish war
e Troops on Rhine.
+ Commenting on the cost OF main
: tanning troops on the Rhine. the com
S mittee calls attention to Germany :
?. failure to pay the cost. The commit
tee also declared that mo adequate
reason has been shown for the main
tenance of any troops in China
An appropriation of $425,000 is rec
I commended for the construction, repair
aud maintenance of roads. bridges and
trails in Alaska. A provision also Is
carried that if the appropriation foi
10 this purpose for the fiscal year be
= ginning July l. 1928. is not made prior
:. :, to March 1, 1928, the secretary OF
:. war may authorize the Alaska board
! of road commissioners to incur obi
=, cations for the purpose of not to ex
"a ceed rs percent of the appropriation
for the coming fiscal year.
An appropriation of S55.000 is rec
n for construction nf add
er tional ward at Letterman general hos
~ pital. San Francisco. $262,000 for gen
eral construction work at Camps Dix
Ill Meade and Lewis, and $198,000 for ad
~ ditional quarters for guards at tbs
Fort Leavenworth, Kas, disciplinary
n barracks.
to The bill also provides s6,670,000 fol
a prosecution of flood control work OF
in the Mississippi river and 100000 fol
e. similar activities on the Sacramento
at river, CAL A total of 100000 woult
Ioh1 fha 60