The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-07
RULES ARE ALL REVISED.
Hereafter Merit Will Cut More
Figure Than Will the
Usual "PulI."
AN END PUT TO FAvORrTIsM.
All Commissioned Men VIII In the
Future Do Their Share of
Field Work.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 6.-The
War Department has prepared an order,
which will soon be issued, revis-
ing and altering regulations with
reference to details of recruiting Off
GERS at great centers, the changes having
been effected with view to putting an end
to favoritism, which, it is stated, has been
shown in previous years in making selec-
ton of officers for this desirable duty.
For years the recruiting service has been
constituted for that class of officers who
seek ''soft places" and who prefer this
kind of work to that strictly of military
character.
There had been exceptions, but in the
majority of cases assignments of officers
have been made chiefly because the off,
GERS have desired detail to some locality,
With no particular reference to efficiency
for performing recruiting service.
The work, if properly performed, is of
the utmost importance to the army, as
upon the careful scrutiny and examination
of applicants for admission depends the
material which now compose the National
soldiery.
Some stations have been diligent and
have succeeded in securing excellent men
for the army. while others, it is stated, have
been careless, the result being that recruits
have been dismissed shortly after their en-
rollment, because of some oversight on the
part of recruiting officers.
In larger cities such as New York, Phila-
delphia or San Francisco, the duties of
these officers are not easy If proper atten-
ton is given to them. Generally there are
applicants every day, but on an average
not one man in ten IS registered and ad-
mitted.
The experience of the War Department
shows that the best class of men for the
army are from the country districts and
not from towns and cities. The rea-
son for this is that the
class from the country is willing
to accept small pay and the arduous du-
ties ola private, is generally accustomed to
living on small salaries, and is Injured to
hardships and self-abnegation.
There are comparatively few men, how
ever, from the country who will give up
comfortable berth for the life of
soldier, whereas cities are filed with
classes which, having failed at every
other branch of industry, are anxious to
enter the army. even with its disadvan-
tages of small pay and loss of liberty.
Secretary Lamont's order will caution
commanding officers against selecting Of
ficers because of their desire to have "gilt-
edge duties"
Those officers who have seen long field
service and have not tasted the "sweets"
of life in large cities must be given prefer
ence, if their qualifications for the work
are not in doubt.
The same policy will be pursued in so
far as the rule applies to regiments on the
frontier, and those officers who have been
long away from civilization, as interpreted
these days, will be selected for the duties
over other officers who have more influ-
ence but are less competent for the work
There are now vacancies in seven regi-
ments of cavalry and thirteen of infantry ,
for which selections from recruiting officers
will be made. Department commanders will
decide on the officers best equipped for the
duties and submit the names for the
action of the department. If there is no
objection to assignments found by the
Secretary the details will then be made.