Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-18
TO RE0RGANIzE THE ARMY.
Bill Introduced Providing for the
Long Wanted "Three Battal-
ion" system.

Bill Introduced Providing for the
Long Wanted "Three Battnl-
ion" System.
Washington. March T.-Represertative
Hull. of Iowa. chairman of the house COM
mittee on military affairs. introduced to-
day bill reorganizing the line of the army.
1t is a sweeping measure. making many
changes in the existing system. 1t makes
the peace organization of each regiment
of infantry now in service hereafter en-
brace one colonel. one lieutenant colonel;
two majors. ten captains. twelve lieuten-
ants. ten second lieutenants. one sergeant
major, one Quartermaster sergeant. one
chief musician, two principal musicians.
two battalions of four companies each and
two skeleton or unnamed companies, the
organized companies to be constituted as
now authorized by law. 1t is provided,
however, that nothing in the bill shall be
construed as abolishing the office of chap
lain in each regiment Of colored troops.
Section Two provides that. in time OF war,
the president. in his discretion, may es-
tablish a third battalion for each infantry
regiment. consisting of four companies, 10
be supplied by manning the two skeleton
companies and by organizing two addition
al companies. The vacancies of commission
ed officers in the additional companies shall
be filled by promotions by seniority in the
infantry and by appointments, as now.
The bill then authorized the president, IN
war time, TO increase the enlisted strength
to not exceeding 80 total enlisted men for
each infantry company; 100 total enlisted
for each cavalry troop. and 200 total enlist
ed for each battery of heavy artillery; 115
total enlisted for each battery of field ar
tillery, and $50 total enlisted for each COM
pany of engineers. The quartermasters.
1fSco md riY1nr
to have the pay and allowance of sergeants
Of their respective arms.
The rest of the bill, making provision for
war emergencies, follows:
Section THAT when recruited to their
full war strength the president may add
one second lieutenant to each troop of
cavalry and company of infantry and one
first lieutenant and one second lieutenant
to each battery of artillery to be filled by
promotions by seniority in the respective
arms to the service and by appointments
as prescribed by existing laws.
Section 5-That to facilitate the recruit
ment to their war strength of troops, bat
teries and companies, the president. in his
discretion, may, in time of war, authorize
each or any regiment of the army to draw
its recruits from such states or state as
may be designated by him; the recruits
thus obtained to be credited as a part of
the quota of troops called for by the Unit
ed States from any state so designated.
Section 6-That. in time of war, the
president shall cause the batteries of ar
tillery authorized by law to be organized
as heavy or field artillery as. in his judg
ment, the exigencies of the service may
require.
Section THAT. in time of war, the pay
proper of enlisted men actually serving in
commands operating against an enemy
shall be increased 20 per cent over and
above the rates of pay as fixed by law;
provided, that in war time no additional
increased compensation shall be allowed
to soldiers performing what is known as
extra or special duties: provided, further,
that any soldier who deserts shall, besides
incurring the penalties now attaching to
the crime of desertion. forfeit all rights to
pension which he might otherwise have
acquired; and. provided. also. that no
bounty or money gratuities shall be paid
by state or local authorities to a soldier
as an inducement to enlist in the United
States military service.
Section S-That whenever the strength
of company of infantry, as established
by the president, shall exceed $50 enlisted
men, a captain or other officer command
ing it shall be mounted and be entitled to
the same allowance as a mounted officer
of his grade.
Section 9-That. in time of war, every
officer serving with troops operating against
an enemy who shall exercise, under assign
ment in orders issued by competent author
ity, command above that pertaining to
his grade, shall be entitled to receive pay
and allowances of the grade appropriate
to the command SO exercised; provided,
that a rate of pay exceeding that of a
brigadier general shall not be paid in any
case by reason of such assignment"
The bill is the result of an agitation for
a plain and simple regulation organization
measure that has been in progress for
long period. Secretary Alger and the war
department officials and the members of
the house committee on military affairs
have been comforting frequently about the
proposed legislation. and the present bill
is the outcome of the deliberate consid-
Grafton given to the matter by both the
administration and the house committee
The bill has already been considered by a
subcommittee of the military affairs COM
mttee, and it was unanimously agreed
that it should be introduced and its passage
pressed.