New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08
LAMONT AND STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
THE SECRETARY SAID TO BE PREPARING A RADr

THE SECRETARY SAID TO BE PREPARING a RADI-
CAL REORGANIZATION SCHEME.
Washington March Specialists Secretary La
mont preparing a reorganization scheme for tho
staff departments of the Army? This is a question
which a number OF officers OF the military branch
are now discussing with much interest. not to say
apprehension. officials at the War Department are
reticent on the subject. 1t Is Secretary Lannon'S
custom not to talk of his intentions In Army mat
ters. a member OF the House Military committee
Is authority for the statement however that the
War Department has prepared radical proposition
relating to changes affecting the stan corps. stan
reorganization is a subject which the Secretary
smoke earnestly OF in his last annual report In the
report he said in effect that important changes
were advisable In the present system. and Indicated
what changes should be made. what ne sueses'eu
was radical. and staff officers were cohs'uei any
stirred up at the prospect that Congress hien' oe
urged to adopt his Ideas The member OF the
House Committee referred to says that the Secie
tary has fully formulated his programme ana Is
readv IN submit II TO the Senate and House. Win
some show OF irritation he said that the secretary
had been badly advised and was on the point Va
asking Congress to do something which hei'ne'
the Senate nor House would consen, to. and which
vas NOT for the highest interests OF the military
branch Stated as the member put II. Secretary
Iamont's idea is that selections for appointment
10 the head Of all staff corps should De open ~ h
as wei as as yta Slagt can II he chooses
ignore rank and other military questions j" '"'
m and 90 to the line for chiefs OF corps l.,
Under existing law selection In such C as on,
limited 10 officers OF staf departments iHhc o'n
GERS cannot for illustration become auJu'a, se ger,
ar.I ou,rterma er- general. commanding gche,h''
and ca on If the member OF Congress ~ Iisnt, So
retary Lamont proposes 10 make IL possio!e ipa ~
line officer OF ability special fitness TO pc APP
noin,ed head OF a staff corps Even taIk i VIC
Ease will stir up the Army. Whether or not ser
tsry Lamont contempates making recoIninehda-
lions 10 Congress his suggestions In MS last an
NAL renort viii be remembered as looking 10 this
stem and as encouraging the Idea that ne VIII asa
CONGRESS- 10 modify existing law on the subject. -,
For one thing the Secretary Is committed 10 mo
Motley of reducing the number or stan oilcers Io
has said that the correct administration OF certain
corns dema nds radical reductions and consoioatohS
lie has also said that In his judgment the head OF
a STAFF corps should be selected for term OF years
and returned 20 his commissioned duties when the
neriod was up If not reappointed This IS tho naNai
custom Evidently the Secretary looked Tor oppo-
sition to hts plan for he argued at some Length 70
show that the proposition, although fauicai, nan
many good points. staff officers generally say that
If the Secretary proposes to put line onicerS al me
head of the several corps the suggestion VIII not be
3an,od ~, Congress They also say that the
schcme Is most radical and that for that reason IL
will not meet with favor. Through their lrenus IN
The Senate and House they will oppose the IDEA with
the determination to defeat IT,