New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-23
PROCTOR on ARMY REFORMS.
EVILS OF THE PRESENT STAFF SYS-
TEN POINTED OFT.
HIS AMENDMENTS TO THE REORGAN1ZA-
TON BILL DESIGNED TO CORRECT
EXISTING DEFECTS.
10y rr1EaRArH TO THE Tribune. J


BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Feb. Ex-senator Proctor's atti-
tude toward pending Army legislation has re-
Gently been the subject Of some comment FOR the
reason chiefly that he differs from his five Re-
publican colleagues on the Military Affairs Com
mittee Of the Senate in wishing to alter certain
features Of the Hull Reorganization measure be
fore IL is enacted into law. Mr.. Proctor. who has
been Secretary Of War has had some practical
experience with the evils Of the existing staff bu-
reau system. and opposes vigorously those sec
tions OF the Hull bill which seek 10 expand and
perpetuate that system. His speech in the Sen
ate yesterday in support Of his own amendments.
which propose the Introduction into the Army
Of the present naval usage Of limited staff ser
vice deserves attention for lis vigor. humor
and common sense. Among other things. Mr..
Proctor said
make attack upon any OF our staff corps.
On the contrary. / believe they have universally
rendered faithful ana generally excellent serge.
but no better certainly IMAM Ihe m. anu a "a
less risk OF life and health But their good ser
character Of the officers Of our Army generally.
ana IN spite OF vicious system.
expect any reform IN Army organization for TWEEN
tyfve OF hfty years ana We are already my years
wel-orsanized modern armies; These amend
ments. while they do not directly establish a stan
within d few years
EVILS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
In advocating this change let me briefly describe
the present system which this bill continues. and
state some OF its evils. Each STAFF corps is EN-
tlrely distinct by itself and its members perma-
nently separated from service with troops OF IN
another stan corps. When a vacancy occurs In
the staff the promotions made regularly ana
an appointment is made At the foot Of the list
Less care is used than would be in appoint
ment TO a higher place. II Is a mere statement
OF fact TO say that the man VINO has the strongest
pull usually gets the place !, IL oftener ooIained
on political influence; sometimes on personal or
Permit me to state the common nod There
Is vacancy, or l. % De one Oh "a ar p" sor
he place commence months before tho vacancy
actually occurs There are about six hundred first
feTtensnts in the line OF the Army aside from the
temporary increase. one hundred or more 81 tntnT
ce,s for the pace There are hundreds Of others
tust a. well fitted who 30 not either because iney
or In many cases. am glad 20 say because many
OF the most deserving officers ~ the army. from
~. ferrneut or allow their friends 20 do 20 for
Them resting their claim entirely. and. Win rare
oants in these cases file briefs giving their record
with letters from military oihcers. personal ana
pamphlets Of many pages The wives. mothers ana
peal 70 the President and Secretary. nus s-Iau-
be 10 get out Of the fighting branch Of the Army j.
nj leasf
ton is given 70 most Or these appl'alohs. oena-
Tor A or Representative has relative or con,
stituent with powerful influence behind hin ana
h. demands he appointment. and gets H. Ae ap-
poin,ee has received 2 promotion Of a grade not
upon merit but by influence and IN doing II has
Jumped many Of ms feNow-ofhcers quite az sood
or better than ne
bitlon The officer IS certain OF his future. He mas
his Office and his clerks H. city. for quite part
Of his service Is INV a. rat eaereeycy he has
regular once hours none Of the haTdships OF non
labor and responsibility Of commanding and train
Ing and caring for men. He and mis- FAMILY nave
dren Of schools or course. some OF these men
must become "hurea uized.' % coin word B4i j
IS easy. they are safe In their positions.
tour Of duty with troops or permanent Feiur No 10
good and FOR that Of the service
! have list here Of the appointments FOR the last
over hundred Of their seniors, and sometimes UP
TO I'VE hundred ana SIX hundrge rs thor. no,
a difference between Secretaries OF War;
and transsresson -i is proFressive think When al
most any Secretary catches on 70 the points he
w faIl into the rut Ms glad to Go,ee that the
was litte careful for time. but II was for want
from any virtue. OaughterJ
THE AMENDMENTS EXPLAINED.
The purpose Of these amendments Is IN part as
follows:
First-To insugurate a system Of stat detail in
substantial conformity 70 that OF the Navy, which
has given good practical results there. and
which has just been extended by the Personnel
bill
second-To make It possible IN a few years TO
establish stan corps. leading feature OF all the
best modern armies and 70 combine the quarter
masters and commssary departments II hereafter
deemed advisable These results readily be
compiished when all the officers Of these corps
become detailed instead Of appointed officers as
their staff service Will then be temporary. termln-
able at pleasure, and their Interests will not be az
Third-To make the stan service in our comPara-
much iaree- number ~ ofcers for san duty
whose services would be available IL an emergency.
whether be proves 10 be the right man for the
right place or not The line officer has no oppor-
tunity 10 be tried in staff duty. His Juniors are
appointed over him and me t!me soon goes ~
when he could accept place az the fo9t o. stan
detail system good officer would doubtless be Sc
lected early and serve On different SIAN corps. ana
high command. An opportunity would be given 20
test the qualihcat.ors 81 many eflcefs ioi me
blgbeI defa'is and tnere would always be a good
Inibe- Of oicers in the line well trained in every
STAFF duty whenever an increase is desired
In this connection I wish 10 speak OF the custom
in The English Army I think The most prominent
generals % the English Army FOR years have served
IN both the adjutant- generals and quartermas-
ter's departments. I have a list here furnished
me By general officer q our Army. in which he
sders ma HenTv Fuler Sir Herber, XII chener and
Lord Wolseley have all served in those places Lord
IVOlseIey as presume H. known. served in Eng
land in ireland in Canada. n the Winnipeg re-
he'lion and In China. India and Egypt. and IN
terspersed with this service ne held inferior places
as auartcrrnaster and adjutaut- general and IN
spector and finally quartermaster- general going
back after his quartermaster gencTaishlp 10 49,
with troops and then adJutant-g general. and nov
he Is COmmander-in-C Chief
Fourth-These amendments give the President
and the Secretary Of War great and moro proper
newer when they most need IL 70 form and reform
ne stan 10 meet the demands Il the service during
their terms Of Office and 10 take away the power 70
M Ike permanent appointments Or young oficers
before they have demonstrated their htness there-
for TO the serious future detrment or the service
TO TAKE POLITICS OUT OF THE ARMY.
Ffth-They divorce politics from the Army and
the Army from politics. The training Of our on
GERS al West Point IS admirable. perfect In this
respect Political or other influence IS OF no
avail there but the cadet stands on merit alone.