The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-15
GOOD worm FOR THE ARMY STAFF.
Its Shortcomings Not Wholly Its Fsult-A
New Suggestion to Correct Them.


New Suggestion to Correct Them.
To THE EDITOR OF The suN-Sir: Tho
letter signed Army Oflccr' In your issue OF
Nov. Z Is very pertinent, but think the author
does the stan and Gen. Corbin some injustice.
although the line Of the army would welcome
some change which would not only make the
staff moro efficient. but rid the line officer oil
the staff work he Ia obliged TO perform at every
military post. This work 10 burdensoms and
not only intsrfsres with his Legitimate duties
and thorough proficiency IN the line. but Is ac-
companied by no outlook beyond answering
com m un cations for months. yes. years. order
ing him to change errors In his papers sub
mittsd and inviting his carly attention to GER
tain clerical delinquencies.
As 10 well known. most stan appointments
are politically backed. and therefore tho stan
has an immense influence at Washington which
can DO used to the authorization OF the line.
but 1t 10 my opinion that the staff officers would
welcome legislation RENE owing from their organ =
ization handcaps conducive to incomplete
efficiency. The Quartermaster's department
10 jumped upon mercilessly. and doscrvedly l
think. but let II have moro money and eIpen-
ditures will net be scrutinzed so suspiciously
and more homes will be provided for shelter
less artillsrymen. As for the ordnance de-
partment and smokeless powders. well. they
are a close corrotatlon. but more liberal az,
lions ong ago They have done pretty we'll.
Unless signs fail. the consolidation OF tho
Quartsrmnsters and The Commissary Depart;
msnts 10 a mere matter OF time. when they will
become a general supply department; but 1t
Is doubtful whether other stan changes OF Or
ganiZation VIII take place unless II be the
addition to the several Departments Of officers
below the rank OF Major and Captain who may
relieve the line officer OF the stan duties he Ia
denim the staif because OF their failures, which
came largely through ack Of appropriation and
sssa,oS Quo Back b ot ,his e a I. tpa
ditional public fear which fails to grasp the
difference between a large standing army and
Here are some questions for cons Iteration:
i. Why do line officers have to perform stan
work which seriously interferss with their
= Why cannot there be First and Second
Lieutenants in the Adjutant Generals, Quar-
ssrniss their aroand az dierent po.s
Must the lowest In rank be Majors and Cap
3 Why should soldier. have to act a carpen.
| tiers. painters, blacksmiths. labor-rs and scav.
engers at military posts and perform duties
which interfere with their m Military work. This
artillery. the men OF which should not be called
on for field service. Why not have a corps Of
| general service msn2
kinds Of troops2 should they not be specialists
in some branch and confined to it in their in
! cannot agree with Army officer' In second,
| ing the suggestion TO have an extra First Lieu.
| tenant in each company for detail In tho stat
line and stan entirely. give The isitsr ali I'll,
lower ranking officers they need to do all theil
iuteiy 80. The bestridden line can then do il,
work unmol ssted. expect efficiency from tn,
staff. work for the good OF the service and pro
Nov. 10. ANOTHER ARMY OFFICER.