The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
TO REORGANIzE THE ARMY.
Important Administration Measure
Introduced i'm the House.

Introduced i'm the House.
WASHINGTON, March T-Representa-
tive Hull, of Iowa, chairman of the House
committee on miliSa affairs introduced to-
day bill reorganizing the line OF the army.
It 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 embrace
one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, two
majors, ten captains, twelve first lieuten-
ants, ten second heutenants, 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 or
ganized companies to be constituted as now
authorized by law 1t is provided, however,
that nothing in the bill shall be construed
as abolshing the Office of chaplain in each
regiment Of colored troops.
Section 2 provides that in times of war the
President in his discretion, may establish q
third battalion for each infantry regiment,
consisting of four companies to be supplied
by manning the two skeleton companies and
by organizing two additional companies.
The vacancies Of commissioned officers in
the additional companies shall be filled by
promotions by seniority in re infantry arm,
authorizes the President in war time to in
crease the enlisted strength to not exceed
ing $50 total enlisted men for each infantry
company, 100 total enlisted for each cavalry
troop, and 200 total enlisted for each battery
of heavy artillery; 173 total enlisted for each
battery of field artillery, and $50 total en-
listed for each company Of engineers The
quartermaster, commssary and veterinary
sergeants are to have the pay and allow
ances of sergeants of their respective arms
The rest of the bill making provision for
war emergencies, follows: Section provides
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 of the serv-
ice and by appointments as prescribed by
existing laws.
Section 5 reads: "That to facilitate the
recruitment to their war strength of troops,
batteries and companies, the President, in
his discretion, may, in time of war, author
ize each or any regiment Of the army to
draw it's 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 United
States from any State so designated"
Section provides 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 re-
quire.
Section reads: "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 additional in
creased compensation shall be allowed to
soldiers performing what is known as extra
or special duties; provided, further, that
any soldier who deserts, shall besides in
curing the penalties now attaching to the
crime of desertion, forfeit all rights to pen
sion which lie might otherwise have ac-
quired; and provided, also, that no bounty
or money gratuities shall be paid by State
or local authorities to a soldier as an in
ducement to enlist in the United States
military service"
Section 8 provides that whenever the
strength of a company of infantry, as es-
tablished by the President, shall exceed $50
enlisted men, captain or other officer
commanding it shall be mounted and be
entitled to the same allowance as a
mounted officer of his grade.
Section reads: THAT in time of war
every officer serving with troops operating
against an enemy who shall exercise under
assignment, in orders issued by competent
authority command above that pertain
| ing to his grade, shall be entitled to receive
| the pay and allowances of the grade appro-
| pirate to the command so exercised; pro-
vided 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
g plain and simple regulation army organ
ization 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 considera-
ton given to the matter by both the ad-
ministration and the House committee.
| The bill already has been considered by a
subcommittee OF the military affairs COM
mittee and it was unanimously agreed that
| it should be introduced ami it's passage
! pressed.
! The War Department is not in the mar
ket as & purchaser of heavy ordnance. 1t
now has more than one hundred splendid
breech-loading rifles and mortars lying on
Continued ON Fourth Pnge)