New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-20
RADICAL ARMY REFORMS
SECRETARY ROOTS PLAN OF
REORGANLZATTON.
STRIKING AT THE FOUNDATION OF
MANY ABUSES. ESPECIALLY THE
BUREAUCRATIC STAFF SYSTEM
LBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUxr.I

Washington, Feb. 19-Secretary Root has sent
the draft Of an Army Reorganization bill 10 the
chairmen Of the Senate and House Committees
On Military Affairs. and the bill was introduced
in the House to-day by Chairman Hull. 1t pro-
poses most OF the radical reforms in the sys-
TEN that shown by The Tribune to be de-
manded a result OF the Spanish campaign
II strikes at the foundation Of the abuses that
have grown UP in the service. and especially at
the bureaucratic staff methods, which have been
repeatedly exposed in these dispatches in the
course Of the last year. II provides for:
First-The amalgamation of line and staff.
with the eventual abolition of the stan or
ganizntfon.
second-For the permanent stnn corps IT
su ubstitutes n staff composed of officers de-
tailed for merit from the line for four years,
Ineligible to succeed themselves until they
have returned to the Iige at Ienst one year
Third-AH officers present In the stan
are compelled TO serve in the line one year
in five.
Fourth-It practically establishes "A gem
eraI stan. which, though dominating the
Army is composed altogether of line officers
selected for ability nfter competition be-
fore boards of officers.
Fifth-Chiefs of stan bureaus, instead
lingering for life in authority. appoint ted
for four years. and may be retired or re-
moved at the pleasure of the President, pre-
ciseIy they In the Navy.
sixth-An Artillery Corps in the line is
ated. Its strength Is to he raised by gradual
transfers from other arms of the service.
seventh-One out of every three promo
tiOns in the regimentaI grades will be made
by selection for merit.
Eighth-Instead of post chapIains. every
regiment will have it's own chaplain
Nfnth-By Section IL any stnn corps may
be abolished by the President.
The bill follows closely the recommendations
made by the Secretary of War in his annual
report two months ago. Its features include all
that appear 10 be feasible at the present time,
the intention being that, with this much accom-
plished by legislation, the way viii be opened
and made easier for such other improvements
will perhaps develop as desirable
EXPLAINED BY GENERAL CORBIN.
Adjutant- General Corbin to-day made the
following running comment the proposition:
The bill provides that one-third OF the promo
tions between the rank Of captain and briga-
/ dier-general shall be made by selection. This Is
10 enable the President 10 reward specially gal
/ liant and merttorious services, and II appeals
alike TO the service ana the country and yet
| maintains in reasonable degree promotions
by seniority. 1t recognizes length as we'll
as special fitness OF service, and its provisions
/ are so guarded that only the most deserving
shall receive special recognition, and in no case
be the creatures Of personal or political inter
vention. The bill gives the President control OF
I the tenure of office of the heads OF staff de-
partments. and he can, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, make new head OF
a department at any time when in his judg
ment the efficiency OF the service would be in
I
transferred to the retired list This places the
Army staff about the footing az the
heads OF the Navy staff departments The only
I immediate result under this provision probably
would be the retirement Of General Eagan,
cOmmissary general, now under suspension In
the AdjuLant- Generals and Inspector Generals
departments there will be further appoint
ments but by detail from the next lower grade
of the line for a Of four years. This will
give large number Of experienced staff officers
to meet future requirements and the emergen-
I cies Of active service. These selections too
TO be made recommendation of boards OF
officers appointed 10 ascertain the records and
fitness of officers for these details.
The Quartermaster's and Subsistence depart
uents the Ordnance and Signal Corps, also
to be filed in Ike manner. These provisions for
details do not interfere with the tenure of
officers In the regular staff departments, or
| with their promotions provided BY law.
They will however, serve one year in five with
such branch OF the line as the Secretary Of War
may designate. This insures all having X
perience with troops Of the line, and keeping
the line and staff OF the Army in close touch
and sympathy.
OF advanced ideas largely in use in other -coun-
tries and urgently called for by our present sys-
TEN of seacoast artillery defences II insures
the care Of the heavy ordnance, and the training
OF officers and men 10 handle these guns in
active service. The increase Of the artillery will
be made by distribution OF men from other arms
( Of the service. and will not increase the pres
ent enlisted strength Of the Army
CThe full text Of the Army Reorganization bill