The sun., 1888-05-13
Mr. LlrnD's ARMY sILL.
A Nsvel Fis, fer Resresrising the Lilac ef
the Array and Reduoiss its Cest

A Nsvel Fisu fer Resresrising the Lilac .
the Array and Reduciss its Cest
WASHINGTON, May 12.-With the Mander
son, the Steele. and the Wheeler bills befor,
Congress, this body seemed to have already |
sufficient basis to work from In framing AM
desired legislation for army reorganization
Yet Mr.. Laird has been able to construct new
scheme for this same purpose In HIS bill o
twelve sections, Just introduced into the House
A distinctive feature OF his plan is that o
largely reducing the number OF infantry regi
ments. All the other bills have resortcd to In
genious and, in some cases. complicated de
vices for bringing about tho results which the
all desire, without decreasing the number
regimental organizations: but Mr.. Laird take
shorter way. Tho leading aims may perha'
be described rs those Of giving to the infans
tho twelve-company organization now
sessed by the other two arms, and ackr''i-
edged by nearly all nations to be the be W
increase the enlisted strength OF the com 'nies
present for duty: to provide for an incrse Vi
artillerymen for coast defence. and ais oi tho
engineer battalion. according to rope rec.
concentrations Of tho War Departing ana Oh
successive commanders OF the army,
Mr.. Manderson confines himself tine ih1an-
try part OF this plan, and execut, IL py inc
uiI0Cs "othou VI nduAhB WV SOhk
existing regiment or fifty CONFINES IN all
But this result is accomplish. by adding
something like 200 officers an 2'ooo enlisted
men 70 the present strength one oo aG6y' ar6 . a.
probable extra cost Of about .,ovUooO year
Mr. Wheeler also makes the tSs artilISrv
to seven regiments, and The, makes an inter
change Of officers and enlisd men @ e among the
regiments Mr steeies So, but hs does @ It by
kesping only eight compass out OF twelve IN
active service retaining ia, phar pay an " we oi
Ssrs Ssnds sr Of ihs hs s ns ,s'tG u s%
Rrnssy ashsysd sEsaed CHESTS ann IN
IL .Ss the aaeston Is " Of reduction
Hr. HrSip,s Iaird pursue these various objects by
WIN tR SGers renns splS * tSoip to
S9mmsnd ndanS when to tn. present num-
ber of five in thtrtillery decreasing the num-
ber o ehe arom rsman a9
tan eegimsuts asu now. Tho extra regiment OF
artillery tTeeto seer to be procured by culling two
companies af9 Il q 10 sp
instead of%elve, as now, two Of them also
beipe iiph batteries, as at present. This part
.ne stiIi 6re noticeable feature is the intro
duction an officer in each troop. battery. and
compaTto to be known as the SECOND Captain,
fhna ming the officer consist Of First and
n Secnt Captain and n First and Second Lieu
tenan This would require readjustment
~ tL jay Of company officers which is accord
ineIsrovided for. Another feature is the pro-
vial OF feur Majors for cavalry regiment In
stet Of three. as In the artillery and infantry.
Tlnumber Of privates in each regiment. and
hice In each arm. is left discretionary with
y President which practically means the War
apartment The new suggestion OF having a
lirector- General Of Artillery is recognized in
his bill the Chief Of Ordnance being SO ap-
pointed.
The Reorganization under Mr. Lard's bill is
o be aided by adding eighty vacancies to the
hem first by officers found incapacitated for
eryice. and starting with, those highest in
ank; and since there will be many surplus
leld officers at least in the infantry, under tho
,ill. they arc to be earrl ed as supernumerartes
" their grades In their respective arms until
estored by casualties: or they may be retired
{ they prefer. But for every, two vacancies in
o be promotion, while surplus Second Lieu
enants are to be carried as supernumeraries
n their own arm or transferred on their own
APPLICATION to some other. Promotion will be
y seniority in each arm until the organization
S complete; and thereafter lineal. as now, for
leld officers and Captains.
1t.need only be added that provision is made
nent, the cavalry troops being then designated
Is a squadron: and that compulsory retire.
nent for age is to be abolished after complet-
ne the organization. while but one retirement
a time OF peace is to be made fer every three
The novelty Of many OF these propositions Is
pparent. and should the bill come up for ac-
ion 1t would be likely to provoke lively
lebate.