New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-23
ARMY AND NAVY NE VS..
PROPOSITION TO ENLARGE THE AUTHOR
ITY OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL.
SECRETARY LAMONT SAID TO HAVE HAND IN
THE REVISION CHIEF ENGINEER
MASEEs CASE


Washington Sept. z2-Interesting gossip Is heard
at the War Department which, II founded on TACT
that a big surprise is In store for the ARMY.
The story s told by officers who are usually wei,
Informed. 1t is said that Secretary Lamont VIII
take a hand In the revision OF Army heguauo"''
and add TO those already agreed upon certain '''
portant provisions of his own framing. these plo
visions the gossps say relate to the duties OF the
commanding general OF the Army. and waterway
enlarge his responsibilities and authority. 'r,ua"y
they add 10 his present duties those OF chiei VI
staff Of an Army. That is to say the programme
is to make the commanding general the onciai III
termedlary between the heads OF all stan bureaus
and the Secretary of War and give him the right
to examine and comment upon military questions
that arise pre.imnarly their submission to the
Secretary.
The change is radical but II IS the one when the
Secretary has been urged by many officers high IN
rank to adopt. 1t Is said. The Secretary mas peeh
considering the subject for some time, the story
goes and he has decided to approve the sugges-
ton. and has drawn up suitable regulations 10 ihaA'
4, operative Some years ago General Sherman
by his order. practically made himself chiei Oh
staff. and placed all heads of bureaus under MS
authority but the order was promptly recalled by
direction Of the Secretary of War. Since that time
no steps have been taken to make the COMMANDING
general the chief OF staff. The proposition has peeh
favorably spoken Of by line officers on many occa-
sions. but nothing more than talk has resulted NOW
the gossps INSIST. Secretary Lamont VIII give oi-
fetal sanction to the plan.
The new rules will not go into effect until after
the retirement OF General Schofield on the |th ol
this NOR H. There Is no special reason for postpoh-
ing their adoption. il Is explained except that II
would rot be considerate burden Genera Scho-
fed with the details of a new. important departure
in the administration Of military affairs on the eve
OF his leaving the active list 1t will be for General
Miles TO put the system into execution upon
succeeding to the command of the Army or, In the
improbable OF the selection of General Kruger
as commanding general. he would be charged with
the duty According to the gossips, Mr. Lamont
after an experience OF two years as Secretary OF
War. has become persuaded that the practice OF
chiefs of bureau OF sending communications AFFECT
ing the personal and material of the Army directly
to the Secretary. instead Of through the command
ing general does not work satisfactorily In con-
demning the present system, the Secretary mas
no fault with Individual officials but thinks that
the m ethod in force defective. II the Sossips are
to be depended upon. he believes that In the pre-
sentation Of official matters, heads of bureaus cam
not ook upon al sides of cases arising in the mill
tary service with absolute impartiality He does
not Inpugn the motives OF any OF his subordinates
but seems to he OF opinion that in the nature Of
things 1t is possible that they may have some bias
In questions which up for settlement.
WORKINGS OF THE NEW SYSTEM.
Therefore, he deems ii advisable. IT is said, that
there should he intermediate authority superior
I'm rank 10 chiefs OF bureaus. whose experience Is
wide and whose judgment is sound. To this officer
under the new system talked Of, heads OF bureaus
would submit all requiring the consideration
of the Secretary of War These the commanding
general would examine and subsequently present
to the Secretary. with his own views Endorsed
thereon Thus the Secretary would have a full
statement Of every first, the report and recon-
menda ions OF bureau chiefs and second. those Of
the chief OF staff whose sole object would be- it Is
mod q
matters requiring official action.
The question naturally arises as to whether the
Secretary OF War has the legal right institute
any such system is talked Of In the absence OF
specific legislation by Congress. This phase Of the
has been discussed by the gossips. They say
that in adopting the plan the Secretary would not
be creating any office. but would merely in
crease the responsibilities and authority OF an Off
cial already provided for by law This. 1t is claimed.
the Secretary can do with as much propriety as he
add to take from the duties of chief Of
the recent moddcations OF Army regulations which
make important certain offices and lessen the
that the new system would be a change in admin
head OF the War Department to take in his discre-
ton.
The main question in the matter seems one of
advsabity. therefore. I'm alton to which there
almost as many opinions as military minds. No
good one. on the other hand line officers as
class seem To favor the proposition. II the goss!ps
are right there Is no doubt as to Secretary Lamonts
every Secretary has ND the matter under con-
sheraton but for various reasons favorable ac-
commanding generals the occasion is timely for
change OF administrative methods, II liz argued
Secretary Lamont is absent from Washington. and
a statement IRON MIN 10 mis- intentions cannot
partrnent say that they without information in
the They speak OF the subject with reluctance
cu rr Of the stories told They admit, however.
present system and that he is not given to freedom
OF speech In relation to changes he thinks OF MAX
RECORD DIsAPPRovED.
The President has returned the Secretary of the
Navy with his dsapproval the record in the retlr-
ing case OF Chief Engineer Maeee of the Navy.
short time age Mr.. Magee appeared before board
and upon consideration Of his case the recommend
alton made that he be retired on account of
disabilities incurred In the lire of duty He had
heart trouble. ana in the opinion OF the board he
unfit for further service at 1t appears
however that there is no record in the military his
suffered on account Of heart disease It is this
point that attracted the attention Of the President
returning the papers to the Navy Department
Evidently the President thought the omission OF
fore snothsr beard and ,ha board WIN take into
nc doubt that Mr. Mage viii ultimately be retired
for Is not essential that officers msdIcn. history
account Of any disease which he is found to have
upon going before a retiring board II not infre
Sick list, no, wishing record to be made OF their
ills and inarmlties In the Of heart failure. for
example. the trouble may suddenly arise and there
would be previous record Of the ailment
Some time in the early future officers OF the
Navy and Marine Corps may expect the publication
probably in a general order OF forms Of procedure
OF naval courtsma rtal. courts OF inquiry and *
aiming and retiring boards. This Is matter
which viii interest the two services there being no
official guide OF tie kind. Probably less than a
dozen officers OF the Navy and Marine Corps are
familiar with the detailed forms OF procedure OF
courts and boards. No better proof OF this can be
found than the fact that with few exceptions the
records OF courts and boards received at the Navy
Department are defective In form. sometimes so
seriously to affect the validity OF the proceedings
Suitable instruction is gwen TO Naval cadets at
Annapolis In relation TO their duties as members,
judgs-advOcaies and recorders OF courts and
boards. and the result H. that information OF the
kind has TO he gained from experience after gradu-
alton. Military Law is branch Of the West Point
er's course and there appears to be good rea-
son why the same should not be true OF Naval law
at Annapolis. II IL not however. and the PROPOSE
ton 10 isSua frnm the Navy Dannrfment nfRclnI