New-York tribune., 1893-12-10
SECRETARY LAMONTs QUEER PLAN.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The announcement of the scheme proposed
by Secretary Lamont In his annual report just
made public to meet the growing needs Of the
personnel of seacoast deferces by converting
a portion of our infantry force into artillery, Is
one that is certainly not reassuring 70 those who
are especially Interested in the vitality important
question of the protection Of our seaDoard. 1t In
spires little confidence in the extent or accuracy
Of the information of the Secretary as t. the re-
qureinents of that part of or Army which. In
connection with the Navy would play the leading
part in of with foreign power lie
would appear to think that such change could
be effected easily ard quickly. 1t Is true that the
designation could be changed in n day, ard the
fac!ngs Of the uniforms In n week or two; but Tor
the making Of a good artillery soldier. especially
a non-commissloned officer. years Of patient train
Ing under the eye OF a skilled officer are needed.
while the education Of the officer Is work sufficient
to absorb the best years Of a mans life The
work OF our infantry is also onerous and absorbing
bout he m IN say kh that hess IS wo OF
the profession Of arms are go much spccia',zed az az
professions Of steam and electrical engineering. II
would be- absurd to speak OF the sudden conversion
conversion In the former case appears to present
no difficulty nor ncongruity to Mr. Lamont o.o.
tic and practical work done by our artillery ON
GERS and troops Is either not fully known to the
present Secretary of War or not justly appreci-
ated by him. For example. the professional work
AT tho artillery school requires two years OF the
closest application Balli5tics the chemistry OF ex-
plosives steam torpedos and the methods or MANI
featuring and testing guns. are only portlon OF
the requrements and serious study ana nign
pcrcentage Of success expected and demanded
OF artillery sibalterns they pass in their turn
through the school The various kinds Of detached
service which these officers are frequently called
upon perform bring into play their tDintv ana
zeal and not infrequenty call for technical knowl-
edge Of a high order. The ordinary garrison work.
too is far from being light and easy TO learn me
converted regiments would. we feel sure. De far
fror, finding their new duties sinecure. and II
NAV be doubted II many judicious infantry ohicers
would relish being placed in SO unjust and anoma-
lOus position 49,,
Another and an almost grotesque phase or this
highly original scheme would be furnished by the
contrasts In rank IN the newly organized corps.
The average age OF the present artillery captains
IS over My years. and that OF the first lietenants
is corrcspordingly great. being something more
than forty. These men are admittedly too ola, 10
be suited to their present rank and duties. put
Mr. I.aront's plan would operate TO place them
in positions below officers who are in some cases
and who besides. totally without artillery
knowledge or experience. The Older class or ON
GERS would BY this means be totally deOarred from
what little advancement they now have TO nope
for and their present somewhat dscouraSing po-
slton would be made permanent Under such cir
cumstances zeal and efficiency would be vlrtueS
almost heroic. ,. .-.. a..
II would seem that Secretary Lamont ought 70
study this most important military question more
thoroughly and. II necessary. discard his present
advisers His plan Ike robbing Peter 10
nav Paul iust when Peter needs all his resources
10 guard the front gates D. w.
NeW-Yors Nov. 20, 1885