The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-30

WASHINGTON, Nov 29.-Secretary
of War Daniel S. Lamont, in his an
nual report, just submitted to the
president, makes many valuable sug-
gestions for the betterment of the ser
vice, and, speaking of the coast de-
lenses, lays particular stress upon the
slowness with which Congress desires
in that regard are being executed.
A Tranquil Year.
The expenditures for the fiscal year
ending June go 1895, have been $52,-
$751;. 7SO. The appropriations of the year
ending June 80, 1896, was $4S, 466,571
and the estimates for the following
year are placed at $51,945,645.
The reports of the officers in COM
mand Of the several geographical de-
partments show that the year has been
tranquil and undisturbed by Indian
outbreaks, domestic violence, or
troubles on the border. Steady and
general effort to improve the service
has brought the troops everywhere to
a highly satisfactory condition as to
discipline. efficiency in military eXer-
cises and soldierly, patriotic spirit. The
army is better fed, clothed and housed
than ever before, and the policy, zeal
ously pursued, of promoting the per-
sonal comfort Of the officers and men
has resulted in a devotion to the ser
vice which is everywhere apparent. 1t
can be said with confidence that never
in its history has the present condition
of the army been surpassed.
Enlisted Men.
The number of enlisted men in SER
vice on October 81 was %, S5S. EXclud-
ing those of the siek-fist etc, the eff
fective list is placed at 20,5S4 of all
arms.
Changes established by the method
of recruiting during the past two years
have considerably reduced the cost of
that service while perceptibly increas-
ing the effective strength of the army.
The secretary concurs in the recon-
mendation of the paymaster-gener
that the entire amount of pay earned
by each enlisted man be paid ia him
monthly.
By far the most essential need of
our army today is the adoption of three
battalion formation. The reasons for
this change and way to provide it were
stated in the report of the department
! for 1894. Secretary Lamont goes on at
| considerable length to discuss these
plans, and says:
The formation desired admits Of
rapid and great expansion to meet the
! eXigencies of actual warfare, and is
| especially adaptable to the small force
! constituting the peace and the estab-
! lishment of the United States.
Resolving the effect of these changes
into money, it appears that the pay,
rations and clothing of the increased
number of enlisted men proposed, an
increase of s1,2O0,00O in annual appro-
/ priations will be required. Retrench-
ment in the administrative branches
| of the war department has reduced OK
penditures for the current fiscal year
by upwards of half a million dollars
compared with last year. and the es-
Inmates contemplate further retrench-
ment for the coming fiscal year. These
! economies in the administration CT the
| war department may properly lie term
ed to the benefit of the army ard sc
regarded. The proposed increase in
numbers and the higher efficiency in
organization of the enlisted men may
be obtained at an increase of only
about 100000 over sums hitherto ap-
propriated annually to the war depart
ment.
Line Officers.
The proposition outlined contemplates
an increase in the number of line Off
GERS, involving an increase for sala-
ries of about 100000. This increase OF
expenditures should be met and more
than overcome by reductions in the
expenditures of the staff.
One-fourth of all the officers are per-
manently assigned to staff duties. OF
the entire amount appropriated for the
current fiscal year for pay of officers
S.. O96, 750 nearly one-third, S1,610,570
was REQUIRED for the salaries of the
staff. 1t must be conceded that the
ratio of staff to the line in our mill
tary establishment is decidedly out Of
proportion, and that attention may
well be directed to some adjustment
which will effect increased efficiency
and at the same time permit the trans
fer of a fund of no small amount Il
purposes tending to promote the wei
fare of the whole service.
The present chiefs of bureaus in thu
staff organization of the army ere cap
able and efficient men. The wisdom
however, of continuing the presen
system of selection may we'll be cues
toned.
and I'D to the present time, in the as
signments to staff places, successful
service in the active operations of tina
trying period has already governed an
the seniority method in promotion ha
operated comparatively we'll, by rea
. son of the fact that the older officer
eligible under the prevailing custom
had benefited from such experience.
OF Vast Importance.
It is fair to assume that the condi
lions cannot much longer continue an
the time, therefore, is deemed oppor
tune for the consideration of neN
methods.
The vast Importance to the publ
service of securing in these places i
the future, regardless Of other eonsio
er.ations, the officers best fitted by mai
{ ural talents and attachments rs ev
denced by their present performance
of duty, cannot be denied, and til
knowledge that such distinction wa
open to merit could not fail to excit
an ambition and effort that would il
r crease incidentally the efficiency c
the whole service.
The head of each staff corps Should
, in my Judgment, be selected for a teri
of years. the officer at the eApiratio