The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1892-12-05
IN OUR REGULAR ARMY
Some OF the RecOmmo ndiuons Steye
ElkinS Presents.
CHANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT
Better Equipment OF the National
Guard Needed-increase In the
Pay OF Non-CommIs-
stoned Officers.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The secretary Of
war in his annual report urges the passage
of the bill for infantry reorganization,
which has already gone through the senate
and Is now pending in the house. Tho
plea IL made for revival Of the grade OF
lieutenant general. Tho secretary says
that while tho enlisted personnel Of tho
army is as a whole very much better than
at any time previous, much remains to bo
accomplished in this connection. IL good
men are wanted for tho army, they must
be paid something nearer what wage earn
ers receive In ordinary pursuits OF civil
life. Under the present condition there
Is scarcely any pecuniary benefit to 81.
tract men to tho ranks. Promotions
to commissioned grades arc ncces.
sarily few and the difference between
tho pay of priva,cs and non-commissioned
officers is hardly apprecinble when con.
sidcrcd in the light of an inducement to
enlistment. IL IN recommended that at
least the pay of non-commissioned grades
bo increased to the extent Of making pro-
motion thereto an object OF legitimate
ambition. Tho secretary recommends .
continuance Of tho policy of abandoning
small posts and establishing regimental
posts In larger states nov without them.
In addition there will be q decided saving
in expense of maintaining these and thero
will be more uniform and better discip-
line and positive Improvement In instruc-
tion and military administration. Such
posts ais would be Of advantage In con-
ncction with tho training and instruction
of tho national guard.
Tho high standing Of tho West Point
academy has been maintained during the
year. Its capacity is not overtaxed. and
tho secretary recommends the president
20 bc given authority to appoint 10 cadets
at large each year, as II 10 probable that
with this increase there still will bo va
cancies aud tho number Of graduates will
not exceed 15 per annum. The post-Rrnd-
uatc schools of artillery, infantry and cav.
airy and light artillery and engineers have
made encouraging progress, and the Sec
with regard to them.
As to the national guard. he calls atten-
tention TO the necessity of increased ap-
preparations, saying tho recent ones have
been utterly inadequate. In 1905 appro-
priations for the militia of states was $780,.
OOO. The highly improved arms aud
equipment of the present day.will cost for
the same number of men. moro than treble
what they did - years ago, while tho pop
ulation of tho country 10 many times
greater. An appropriation OF At least
81 .OO0.O0O for this purpose is recommended; |;
also that tho present law be changed 20
that tho arms and supplies which have
become unserviccable in tho hands OF the
militia may he sold and the proceeds
used for furnishing new supplies instead
| of being covered into the treasury.
Tho inspector general reports to the
secretary, regarding Indian soldiers, that
they show remarkable aptitude for mill.
tary service; are amenable to discipline,
generally of good habits and proud Of b.
ing soldiers, and considering their igno-
rance of tho English language their
progress in drilling has been extraortiin-
airy. Reports at inspections since tho
new drill regulations were issued. show
commcndable alacrity ON the part Of the
mcn learning them.
Tho surgeon general takes deep interest
| In the more perfect organization Of tho
medical department for the national
guard and il is hoped this may be accom-
plislicd through tho medical department
| of the army and tho association OF mill.
| tary surgeons Of the national guard.
The report Of the chief Of engineers con-
tains information concerning tho fortifi-
cations for scaboard and the improve
ment Of rivers and harbors. The con-
struction of cmplacements for modern
high power guns and mortars in some OF
the large harbors, is well under way, but
not cocxtcnsiye with tho construction OF
the guns or tho needs OF coast defense.
The secretary hopes that sufficient ap-
preparations will be made for this purpose
and for the purchase Of sites needed upon
advanced headlands of our harbors for
long range guns.
The secretary devotes some space to the
report of the chief of ordnance which was
previously covered mt length In these dis
patches. Tho chief signal officer reports
continued Improvement In his branch OF
tho service. and among other things men.
tions the practical test of the field tele-
graph train in the construction Of aying
field telegraph line 35 miles long In -
hours. The estimated appropriations sub
mitted by the secretary for the fiscal year
ending June ~, is92, are St5 5,364,Oo.