The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30
MO TRANSFERS OF TROOPS.
Too Much Needless Expense to the Coy
erHmeBf-HoW the President
Keens HIS Promises

WASHINGTON, D. c., May GA rep
resentative of THE CALL was informed to-
day in the Office of the Secretary of War
that there would be no change whatever
in the stations of troops at present. The
Secretary has emphatically said two or
three times that the condition of the
treasury does not warrant any expendi-
lures under this head except for the most
urgent reasons. A considerable sum was
necessarily spent in transporting troops to
Washington on March and to New York
City to the Grant parade. While 1t was
advisable, it is presumed, to have the
army represented in both instances, the
feeling among many officers is that if the
amount of money expended on those
two occasions could have been applied to
much-needed transfers the army would
have been benefited to a greater dregree.
General Miles made number of recon-
mendations regarding the change of sta
tions of troops before his departure for
Europe, but just what they are cannot be
definitely stated.
In connection with the appointment
this week of Ma ior- General Brooke, it is
learned from reuable source that on the
occasion of that officers recent visit to
Washington, which was about the time of
the appointment of Major-General For
syth, he had an interesting talk with
President Mckinley. 1t seemed that Gen.
eral Brooke called at the White House on
the invitation of the President. 1t also
appears that General Brooke was promised
his promotion upon the retirement of
Major General Wheaton. This promise
was made by the President The day that
General Brooke visited the White House
the President recalled his promise and
said that his intention was to fulfill it un-
less General Brooke consented to it's fur
ther pos tponement
Mr.. Mckinley stated, in frank way,
that it was his particular desire to ap-
point at once Generals Forsyth and Bliss.
He assigned what he regarded as good
reason for making these promotions, but
informed General Brooke that in view of
his promise he would not do so should the
general offer objection. Very naturally
General BROOKE desired his promotion,
but under the circumstances he said to
the President that he would not insist
upon the execution of the earlier promise.
Then the President stated that he would
send in the nominations of General For
syth and General Bliss and that i'm me-
diately after their confirm alton he would
send to the Senate the nomination of
General Brooke. This promise has been
kept.
LAS dOLHOHlSuGu certain
me m bers of the board of inspection aud
other naval officers who attended the trial
of the Iowa that it is improper to accept
hosp talities from ship contractors. 1t
appears that ali line officers on the Iowa's
trip paid their own expenses, but that,
following custom, a number OF the staff
officers did not. A few days ago Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt sent inquiries to all
N e N bers of the trial board asking for in.
formation on this point. The replies were
as indicated. No official explanation has
been given out as to what prompted Mr..
Roosevelt's question. All the replies were
laid before Secretary Long, who ordered
letters of admonition to be drafted. AS it
has been usual for shipbuiIders to pay the
living expenses of officers on the trial of
vessels the observance of the rule in the
Iowa case is nothing extraordinary. No
contractor has ever presented bill to the
Government on this score, and ii they
generously entertain officers at their own
expense the Government loses nothing.