The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-08
rue ARMY APPRopRIATJov BILL.
Reducing the Number or Enlisted Men aud
Cuttinr Down the Li.t OF Omcers.

WASHINGTON, May THE Army Appro-
priation bill for the next fiscal year wis COM
pleted to-day by the subcommittee Of which
Mr.. Hewitt Is Chairman. 1t will he reported to-
morrow to the full committee. and will proba-
bly, be reported tomorrow to the House. II
saves "a 100000. 1t reduces the number OF en-
listed mon, which includes the entire
rank and file. from $4,000 to 10000. but
by its changes in reducing tho number Of
officers. 1t makes n reduction in the number Of
prvatcs of from 17.700 men to 1900 in round
numbers. The bill proposes TO reduce the
number Of regiments from forty to twenty-six.
by cutting down the infantry regiments from
twenty-five to fifteen. and the cavalry from ten
to six. leaving the number Of artillery reg-
ments unchanged. The proposed consolida-
ton of certain staff departments and the
reduction of others is referred by the
bill to "A board consisting OF the three Major
Generals. This covers ths consolidation OF the
Subsistence and Qunrtermasters Departments
and the reduction OF the Pay and Medical De-
partments. Tho rank held by tho chief OF one
of these departments is reduced TO Colonel, but
without affecting the rank OF the present COM
mander The changes in the regimental or
ganization. as well rs sundiy changes in staff
rank. the number Of aides. and other questions
of detail, are adopted without change from the
The reduction in the number OF regiments. ns
well MS other changes proposed Ivy the bill. will
largely lessen the numb'r Of ON ers needed.
This surplus is To he sposed 81 in three ways.
Any officer whose services are no longer need
ed can resign. receiving pay and allowance for
one or moro years up to fol.. in proportion to
his term OF service. The Bonrd already men
toned made up Of the three Major -GenPrns of
the army. will receive and pass upon reports
from the department commanders. giving on
GERS incompetent 10 perform their duties. and
kt.tn in oh fsug hnr m .ltF
shall be ordered. Tho officers remaining will
be placed upon supernumerary list. drawing
full pay and allowances. from whom all new
appointments in future are to be made, to the
eNcius on OF all selections from civil life.
While awaiting these vacancies these supnnrnu-
dent to discharge the duties oi any civil Office
under the Government; As n somewhat care-
full calculation shows there Will not be more
than $50 or 200 supernumerary Hers. II is
believed by the sub-conmitt that employmen
can be economically found for them all. The
President IL given power to discharge any OF
these officers. n provision deemed wise. TO se-
cure the execution OF such duties as they may
In dealing with the pay OF the army Mr..
Hewitt has taken different course from that
adopted by Mr.. Bragg in his Pay bill. Braeg's
reductions varying from foriy-three to eighteen
per cent. were heavy IN the higher grades.
where the officers were few. and for the most
part less In the lower grades. where TIE officers
are numerous. Leaving pntnuched the pay
proper MS hxed 10y Logan's Army bill Ike this
msd part Fl an o y Hoass
n r.du ton Of twenty per cent. on the entire
sum received by en- n officer through n re-
duction OF the allowances. the allow.
nnce for rooms. for instance. Ia reduced
from SIS to 80 per room, the number of rooms
being left unchanged. The sa utiry reform pro-
posed by Mr.. Bragg. OF allowing forage only for
horses in active service. is retained,
As il stands. the bill. compared with previous
bills. IS much the most consistent and carefully
considered scheme for army reform brought
before Congress Tor years past. IL Is the only
bill for reducing the army and cutting down Its
load Of officers which mas now the least chance
OF passing this Congress