The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-06
SPECIAL CLASS SOLDIERS
PRESIDENT MAY BE GIVEN
POWER TO RECRUIT THEM
Pending Hill Providing for Ten
Thousand 'Inmuncs" and Eri-
gade of Engineers Likely to Be
Modified Before 1t Passes COa-
in the Regular Army.

WASHINGTON, May Sit is the
understanding of the war department
that the bill now pending in congress,
providing for the enlistment of over
10000 "fmmunes' and brigade of en-
gineers will be modified so as to leave
it discretionary with the president to
recruit probably $4,000 men made up CT
such special classes as he may deem
best for the service
These classes. it is said, will include
'1mmunes." signal corps, cowboy COM
panies and artillery and engineer regi-
ments.
This course is regarded at the war
department as better than that pro-
posed in the BILL in that it will enable
the president to provide for obtaining
such troops as he may think best.
Among those who have been prom
inent in urging upon the officials the
formation of brigade of engineers
is Eugene Griffin, the vice president of
the general electric company Mr..
Griffin is graduate Of West Point who
served fourteen years in the corps of
engineers, including service as aide de
camp with Gen. w. S. Hancock. He
has rendered his services to the govern
ment In connection with the present
war, and in doing so wrote an interest
ing letter to Secretary Alger, giving his
reasons for urging the formation Of a
$500 men, who should be enlisted and
commissioned in the service of the
United States.
Each of these regiments, he SAYS,
should be composed Of civil and me-
chanical engineers, electrical engineers
and practical electricians, mechanics.
artisans, craftsmen and men familiar
with all kinds of engineering work
with proper training
In the contemplated occupation of
Cuba, he says, the character of the
country and the probability Of seige
operations against Havana, makes it
obvious that an unusually large pro-
portion of engineer troops will be re-
quired. Five per cent of the number
of volunteers would be a reasonable
minimum number. he suggests, to fix
as the strength Of the volunteer engi-
neers.
The proposed brigade Is about one
half of that number.
Mir. Griffin also shows the many uses
to which electricity and photography
will be put in the war and how neces-
sary 1t is that men skilled in these lines
should be ready to conduct them
Wherever operations are necessary.
From letters received, Mr.. Griffin saws
he believes he could readily organize
the brigade proposed.
Great pressure is being brought to
ocoi upoH tHe war department to Sc
cure appointments to second Lieutenant
cies, authorized by the recently enacted
Hull bill. The list of applicants in
Guides many bright young men, for the
regulation requires them to be under
thirty. Among them are former stu
dents at West Point, newspaper men
ana others with political influence back
Of them. o->
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt will
leave here tomorrow for San Antonio
lex for the purpose Of assuming his
outles as lieutenant colonel Of the regi-
ment OF rif1emen, commanded by Col.
leonard Wood. He will practically
sever his official connection with the
navy department at the close of bust
ness To-Day. although his resignation
may not take effect until after the an
polntment and qualification Of his sue
cessor. Who this will be has not been
disclosed.