New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
A SATISFACTORY REFORM.
REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY BOARD
OF FORTIFICATIONS.
IBv TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuxE.I


Washington. Jan. 24-The reorganization Of
the Army Board Of Fortifcations which went
into effect to-day is regarded on all sides in the
War Department as designed 10 improve the
conduct Of matters pertaining to coast defence
and therefore to constitute a reform in the con-
dition that has prevailed in that portion Of the
service which has been the cause Of much OF
the friction in the Department.
The Board was originally appointed to carry
out the adopted plan Of National fortifcatfons
which emanated from the Endicott Board. but
the appropriations for that work being dis
tributed by Congress between the Engineer. and
Ordnance departments. every action Of the
Board was practically subjected TO the approval
Of the chiefs Of those two departments who
held the pursestrings and for the last five or
six years the authority OF the Board has been
limited to the testing of new devices Of war
submitted 20 the Government for purchase its
earlier intent to harmonic differences arising
between staff bureaus having been nulIifed
NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
The Board consisted Of the Major-General
commanding, and a captain each Of engineers
and ordnance. with junior artillery officer, who
had no vote, as recorder. The artillery arm
which does the fighting, therefore had no voice
in the selection Of implements Of war OF their
location. Recommendations Of the Board were
nance or engineers. or both, and the Secretary
Of War was compelled to decide the controver-
sizes Under the new order, the Major-GeneraI
commanding and the recorder continue their
connection, the junior officers of engineers and
ordnance are replaced by the chiefs of those
bureaus, and the senior artillery officer Of the
service is added.
The arrangement is similar in all respects to
that Of the Board on Construction in the Navy.
No change is made in the Boards powers
which are fixed by statute, but the idea Of the
Secretary Of War is that all questions affecting
coast defence will now reach him after agree
ment has been reached by those in charge of all
branches. Heretofore the two staff chiefs have
practically had the revision of recommended
tons made by the Commanding General and the
subordinates Of their own bureaus on the Board
To the extent that this revisonary power is now
curtaied. the service looks upon the order
as d ulStlnct reform, recognizing, however, that
in the Navy the Board or. Construction is known
for It's sQuabbltng and numerous minority
ports on all matters that come under its juris-
diction.
What bearing the order has upon the conflict
IN the Army between the line and staff which
IS doing more damage to the military service
to-day than ever before, is variously interpreted
by The two factions.
VICTORY FOR GENERAL MILES.
In the opinion of the fighting force it is a dis
tinct victory for General Miles, who is credited
with having made the recommendation for the
change twice TO Secretary AIger and to have re-
iterated the suggestion TO Secretary Root The
addition to the Board of an artillery officer Of
high rank and a fighting is undoubtedly
pleasant TO the line, unless it is forerunner of
the establishment of an artillery staff bureau
as a part Of the existing bureaucratic system.
STAFF officers regard the reorganization order
as favorable to them, although they appear to
look upon ii as not Of great importnce- At any
rate, it does not disturb their equaninity to
any visible degree. They say that the Board
was heretofore the Commanding General alone
while now he Is one Of fOur-a hopeless minor
tty. The reports of the Board will continue TO
pass under the review Of the Adjutant General
and its expenditures. beyond the minor item
Of tests, will remain in the control Of the two
staff chiefs who hold the appropriations
The sole advantage apparent TO both sides is
that the Secretary Of War will receive the
recommendations of all concerned in coast de-
fence in one report instead Of in three or four
and that in most cases his final decision of con-
trOverstes may be made in half the time that is
now consumed