The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-19
TO REoRGAEIEB THE LINE.
Il the T-hree-battaiion Fia2 sestt-Mc-s
Pay for Non-eoamissionsd Omesrs.

WASHINGTON, April ls.-One thing pointed
out by the House Committed on Military Affairs
TO justify the proposed increase in the pay OF
non -oommissioped officers is that, as the latter
cannot earn what 10 known as extra duty pay.
Q corporal sometimes gets less for a time than
q private. It ia said that for this reason so mo
times soldiers prefer extra duty to promotion
10 the chevrons. But . leading reason for an
increase In pay seems TO DO founded on the
larger demands made by modern tactics on
The non-commissioned officers; for better
wages may tend TO induce able men TO remain
In the army Is sergeants and corporals, max
ing this their life work. The increased cost
OF tho pay proposed would be s157 ,452 a year.
As for army reorganization In general. the
Senate committee has approved the bill for
that purpose drawn up by Secretary Lamont,
and It is understood that the House will also
make that bill its basis for action. Whether
the measure can be finally acted upon at tho
present session Il a matter of some doubt. In
discussing the various bills pending. Major j.
p. Sanger OF the Inspector-G Generals Depart
ment suggests that, while there is no doubt a.
to ''the applicability OF the foreign three.bat.
ssiiSn lee" IN To s SS5 'p Ssstsikic;n. w yeti L tour prt tsrf.
poses a large number OF trained non,com-
mlssloned S1 mS,,o under sS,Ssrs .S s9d ,s sa.
therefore It is entirely beyond practical re,
a~lization In tho militia and volunteer forces
which compose our army In time of war"
Hence, while he would have no objection 70
making q regiment consist OF twelve, COM
panies, troops, or batteries. he would omit
from the law any prescribing or the number
of bAttaltons In o regiment. or OF companies In
o battalion. because these could then he reRu-
lated by executive order as circumstances
might require.
This view in one respect will not strengthen
tho project OF army increase, 20 the latter
has been largely based on the absolute neces-
sity OF the three battalion formation, even IN
those volunteer armies for which Major sanger
says It is totally untitled, This ofieer further
adviEes against prescribing the instruction or
the army by law, although he thinks that II
might DO we'll TO require examinations for Ap.
pOiD tmenta and promotions in the non'coms
missioned grades, as Is done In the oommts-
stoned up n that of Major. He finds that this
last plan has been adopted with success In some
of the best militia regiments; and that would
appear to diminish one OF his objections TO the
three. battalion system for militia But al
though II might seem Advisable to give In
stTuctiOn wherever examination Is 70 DO re-
QuIrsd, Major Sanger believes that . separate
Or apprentice school OF the enlisted men for the
eduostion of non commissioned Officers Will
never DO popular in the army, Il the. puplls
latter = increased for this purpose
Briefly stated, the Line ReOrga nization bill.
as reported by she Senate committee, provides
for SO,00y enlisted mem leaves the cavalry
uRoAAassd. sAas tive fuh regiments 70 Ehs A.