The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-30
NOW zHs Army n MANAGED.
10 There Excessive Cent-aiisatisn n the
STAR Departmeatse

- Tnef9 excessive CeutrAUsAuon n tno
STAR Depsrtmeatse
WASHINGTON, July 29.-1n the current number
Of the Journal OF the Military Service Institution
Brevet Lieut-C Col J. @. G. Lee OF the Quarter
masters Department describes " an alarming
tendency toward the GENERALIZATION OF the con-
troll and MANAGEMENT OF details" in the admin
istra,ion Of our army This tendency. he says,
should claim tho profound and active effort
OF every legislator and soldier In the land. that
It may be checked and brought within proper
bounds ere 1t leads to confusion. which IL sure
to b. its result at tho outbreak OF war. II not
before"
Tho tendency IN question has recently re-
ce!ved fresh illustration. although not In the
precise form spoken OF by Col Lee. through the
abolition OF the military divisiona and the re-
porting Of the eight military departments d.
rectly to army headquarters at Washington.
Up TO the appointment OF Gen. Schofleld to the
command Of tho army the three military
divisions wore each under tho charge OF
Major General. who exercised control over the
BriRadier-G Generals commanding the depart
ments constituting his command. An anom-
ally existed IN the Department OF the East.
which had tho snme geographical limits as the
Division OF tho Atlantic and hence was mme-
diately under the officer commanding the lat
ter whilc the Department Of California was
also under the immediate charge OF tho officer
commanding the Division OF the Pacific. OF
which 1t formed a portion. With Secretary
Proctor at the hend OF the War Department
and Gen. Schofleld commanding the army. the
first step toward changing this system was
taken last summer by detaching three Of tho
most important departments those OF Texas.
the Missouri and Arizona. from their reapec-
tive divisions, and causing them to report d.
rectiy 10 Gen. Schofleld and to take orders
from him, The grounds on which this change
public business, Thus undsrmiaed;; tie dlyis.
Ion system only fell its total abolition being
Ba CO.. Lev Lev S does not have specially in mind
this development o. sen1rsZar,on; a,tn0ngh
II. The tendency which ne sposks Of is in the
STAFF Departments which from bis experIencs.
our Departments at Washington. VIGOROUSLY
overburdened and behind hand. not content
troll details down to the remotest corner" Such
Q practice ~ great railwey system. running
ss. m Is II cr Sss wH s he fs
sity be left in charge OF details OF supply aud
he finds no proper delegation of powers by the
tent and expsrienesd subordins tes The latter,
as q consequence. stripped OF oil control
s End spa and ass 9s. dS IN
their duties; and instead q being trained 70
asins Vsseaen % AND sef sef The train
ing OF peace. so necessary for war. instead OF
aided 10 the intricacies and perniexities Of
our system. renders the experience OF the
Co Iee thinks It be Very 'e general OPTION
OF officer. that the policy Of Capitalization 10
now carried too far: Bnt while his comments
TO- apply particularly 10 the departments to
which he belongs:
washington for Ii. remo.e.. psrts the Country and
matter: from
rq,; h.n IN IN NTH n.
and necesti.s superv.ion and control exercised
y and brains a. e. 81 BY
and familiar Win Il: n.sds ana ciIcsm
.S:
TAKE 81 instance: N military department.. Of The
:ssi @ n 'Sst :S% r;
:npp.s and still farther IN
Iind hinder meth9ds:" heads Of dePart@entss
snd ans
wel!-denned Limitations. and with the approval
OF their respectiye commanders. the chiet otfl.
GERS OF each stRfH department placed in charge
Of Its affairs at the headquarters OF the sew
eral geographical military divisions and de-
troll and management within tho fields OF their
respective spheres Of action; the lesser details
mates. always with In well-de6ned lines"
OF course. directions may be suggested ON
shs the .eHS es % the
does not like to assume unless he has very
minute control OF their expenditures. And IT
events, generality in the suggestions OF Col.
Lee which may be due to the belief that any
revision in the system should be. as to its de-
tails, the work of q competent Board OF officers.
Still. It Ia worth while to notice Tho existence
whether It BE- Well or iii founded ESPECIALLY II It
be as widespread as is here indicated.