The evening times., 1899-02-27
GENERAL Wa SHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The Army BilFs Fate.-It is conf
IDENTIFY expected that the Senate before it
adjourns today will pass the compromise
Army Reorganization bill practically as 1t
was agreed upon in committee. 1t is stat
ed, however, that Chairman Hull, of the
House Military Affairs Committee, has de-
cided TO prevent the passage OF the COM
promise measure through the House IL
possible. He is understood to be very en-
phatic in his declarations on this subject.
Much will depend upon what shape the bill
will go to the House, whether as new
bill or merely as q substitute or amend
ment TO the Huh measure. III IT passes
the Senate as an amendment or substitute
the only motion that will be in order when
ii is reported back to the House VIII be 10
concur or non-concur in the Senate amend
ments This vote will be taken without.
debate. But if a new bill is sent to the
House Mr.. Hull can have it referred to his
committee and then suppress 1t. AS the
compromise Army bill has been reported to
the Senate il appears to be new meas
ure. Senatory Hawley is said to be little
jealous of MIR. Hull and wishes to have the
bill bear his name. However. the title of
passes the Senate, so as TO make it ap-
pear on the record as substitute Tor
the Hull bill. 1t VIII strike the average
person as very small point to fight over,
but the fate of the Army bill may depend
upon how this insignificant matter is set
tied.
Notes on Army Legisintion.-An
army officer of high standing and long
service has furnished The Evening Times
with the following statement, which ap
pears TO be most timely and pertinent.
He writes:
The proposed compromise measure il stands
will cost $40 900 600 more than the Hull bill as il
passed the House, and then have couBlonl-
Grafton OF volunteers which will have 10 be
whipped into line after enlistment, 10 say moth
ing OF the time necessary TO eHIfst such force
and the dlsgracctu political scramble Tor otfce.
Of course the main objection to the Hull bill Is
the permanent staff, which continues all the evils
of the present system. Why not take up the Hull
bill ii passed, lop off captain and commissaTy,
the three extra first lieutenants battalion ad-
jutants from each regiment thus saving l6s un-
necessary officers; then add a provision for Il de
tailahle staff from the line which would cement
the line and staff foIeyer-of not disturb
ing the present permanent StatfY There should
| lac objection to this proposition. inasmuch as
the size Of the companies can AT any time be re-
duccd to fifty enlisted men, thus giving mini
| mum force uf S3. .6nu0-a smaller force than pro-
| posed by the compromise bill--and one capable
/ OF expansion To cghty-hve or ninety thousand men
If necessary, and in pinch to l25 900, by increas-
! ing the size OF companies. The best feature OF
this bill Is the revolution in Office OF the staff
! Men would come in for their four wears Of staff
! duty from corresponding grades in the line and
go back to their regiments and hc better equipped
/ Tor their duties OF the higher grades than ever
/ before There would be none Of the political
scramble among the various staff corps and each
would eventually be under the Commanding Cen
/ erai. Never while the present stan arrangement
! exists Viii there be harmony.
Bureaus have been created here which are in.
( dependent Of each other and of the Commanding
/ General. II is a HYDRA headed affair These stafi
positions should be filled by line officers detailed
from the three arms in proportion to the commits.
stoned strength Of each arm 10 serve not longer
than four years, unc-fourth to return to the line
/ each wear All departments should be included
/ except the Medical Corps. and perhaps the En-
glnecr Corps. All Others 81 TODAY filed b, Off.
GERS from the line. and there are others who are
equally a efficient available in the grades of can
tam and lieutenant serving today with their regi
ments The number Of new officers proposed by
! the compromise bin 10 be appointed is about
/ 500 from brigader general down. while in IN,
/ p"op"sitlou outlined here there would be only
about 700, and all OF them in the grade Of second
lieutenant. which could be volunteer and tempo
, rary until the vacancies could he filled by sue
ce-sISe classes from West Point
In this connection this officer adds:
beg leave 10 submit the following summary:
| OBJECTIONS To THE HUH BILL.
!. Permanent staff; army staff ridden.
| . Divided responsibility in staff corps; con
clusiyey shown in late war
. Permanent staff become Independent politi
cal wirepuleTs.
J. staff independent Of Commanding General
.. Too many lieUJenanIs. no necessity for bal
TALON adjutants