The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-05
Annual Report Of Secretary Elkins
and the recommendation
EN- bodied
He Favors the Concentration of
the Troops In Larger Gar
.M. risons.
The Advantages which Would Accrue to
tho Army From the Adoption
OF That Policy.

recommends that the grade of lieutenant
general be revived. He says: "The imme-
diats effect of legislation in this behalf
would, it is assumed. create a prom otion at
the head of the army by the advancsment
of the senior msior-Renersl, who, by reason
of brilliant achievements in war and long
and distinguished services, is eminently en-
titled to such recognition" The secretary
speaks Of the improvement in the enlisted
personnel of the army, and thinks that
everything possible under existing laws has
been accomplished. Notwithstanding all
this, however, many men succeed in enter
ing the army whose character and ante
cedentg are such as to render their presence
detrimental to the service; and the COM
plant is general az to scarcity of material
for nonoom missioned officers" continues
the report. Improvement in edministra-
tive methods may correct some of these
evils, but IL 10 thought that the best remedy
lies through small increase in oompensa-
tion. II good men are wanted for the
army, they must be paid something near
what waRe-earnerB receive in the ordinary
pursuits Of civil life. Under the pressure
of national prosperity representative men
| command good pay. The army, under ia
| vorable conditions, should be one of the
most desirable trades Of youth; and there
| can scarcely be doubt that bright and ad-
venturous young men would seek our oolors
| in considerable numbers if lit were generally
understood that courage and merit would
be suitably rewarded. Under present con-
ditions there is scarcely any pecuniary ben-
eft to attract man to the ranks. Promo
tions to commissioned grades are neoes-
sarily few, and the difference between the
pay of private and a non-commissionod
officer is hardly appreciable, whom consid-
cred in the light Of an inducement to enlist
ment. 1t is therefore recommended that at
| least the pay of all non-commissioned
grades be increased to the extent of maxi
| ing promotion thereto the object of legit-
mate ambition, thereby inducing the en-
| listnent of the very best material to COM
| pete for the advantages OF promotion 10 the
grade of both commissioned and nom
commissioned officers. Considering that
there are 1854 serQeants of all grades, and
1.614 corporals, 1t is apparent that the In
ducement should be ample enough to JUS
tify young men of character and capacity
in indulging the expectation of ultimately
securing adequate compensation and recoR-
nition."
On the question Of distribution of the
army the secretary says: 1t is believed
that our Indian wars are about at an end,
In the march of population and civilization
westward that which was so long known az
the frontier has disappeared. The neces-
! sity of massing troops In the west no longer
exists. Seventy per cent of the army ia
| now located west of the Mississippi river.
| The total number of posts now garrisoned
by United States troops, not including
arsonals and asmories, is ninety-six; OF
Mississippi river. The remainder, sixty
three. are west OF the Mississippi river. az
| follows:
Minnesota one, South Dakota two. North
Dakota three, Montana five, Kansas three,
Missouri one, Nebraska four. Colorado one,
Utah two, Wyoming five. Indian Territory
one. Oklahoma Territory swo. Texas nine.
Arizona six, New Mexico four. California
seyen, Washington five. Idaho two. Five
Of these are regimental posts. and are To-
Gated as follows: One in Illinois, one in
Minnesota, one in Nebraska, one in Wyom-
ing and one in Utah. These Eve posts are.
strictly speaking. regimental. There are
posts, however, quite as important and as
large which are not regimental posts be-
cause the commands are made up of parts
of different regiments.
1.-The question as to the proper policy
that should govern she distribution and To-
cation of the army presses for considera-
tion and settlement. The tendency of dis
tribution hitherto has been to abandon
small and isolated posts and ooncentI ate
lu6 troops III larger 1ui1 uhb
been attended with good results. as troops
can be more economically maintained in
large than in smaller garrisons. 1t 10 sug-
gested. therefore, that the small posts be
gradually abandoned and that regimentRl
posts be established in each of the larger
states that are now without them. They
should be located at or near the principal
commercial centers, where transportation
facilities are ample, and movements OF
both men and supplies may be rapidly and
economically made. The army could be
maintained under these conditions much
cheaper than ever before in its history. IL
is thought that the cities, near which such
posts may be located, should be required
to donate TO the government sufficient land.
say 1000 acres, in consideration of build
ing and maintaining suoh posts in their
immediate vicinity.
"rhe department. last year favored le1is-
lation establishing military post in Mon
tana, one in Arkansas. and one In New
Mexico, upon the condition that land be
donated as above set forth. In addition to
a decided saving in the expense OF main
tenance. other important results would fol-
low such a redistribution of the army in
larger garrisons There would be better
and more uniform discipline. greater esprit
du corps, and positive improvement In in
struotion and military administration.
Officers and mon would have rocsss to
chu tches, schools. libraries, and other ad-
vantages which are only to be found near
large centers of population, Added to
this. the presence OF troops in the states
would familiarize the people with the army.
lead them to better understand its opera
.ions and. il is believed. foster a kindlior
interest in ID. The people of the states
would feel an interest in maintaining suoh
posts. which would also bo of advantage in
| connection with the training and instruc-
tion of the national guard, and would also
assist its members to better understand
ing of their duties, should the occasion
arise for its temporary employment as a
national force"
Secretary Elkins has this to say oonoern-
ing the national guard: The Importance
of maintaining and improving the militia
of the several states and the District of
Columbia is generally admitted. The
National enard is the reserve force OF the
army. Attention is invited to the necessary
appropriations for aiming and equippinR
this reserve force. In 1908 the approprie-
tions for the militia of the states was $780,
O0O The highly improved arms and equip
ments of tine present day cost for the same
number of men more than treble what they
did eighty-four years ago. The population
of the conntty ID many times what 1t was
then. and the demand for these equipments