Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-15

Washington, May 14.-Secrctary
Root was before the House committee
on military affairs. today, concerning
the army rc-organiZa ton bill recently
passed ny the Senate. He went over
the advantages Of the measure ana
was questioned at considerable length
on the proposed increase of the mill
tary arm and the provisions giving
Gen. Miles the rank If lieutenant gen
"ral, ana Adjutant General Corbin the
rank Of major general. The secretary
pointed out that the effect of the bill
as passed by the Senate was to in
crease the army 5000 or 5000. entirely
in the artillery, this increase extending
over a period Of years. While differing
from the provisions originally recon-
mendcd. Mr.. Root approved the Senate
amendment as it would permit the war
department to 20 to work and put the
artillery in shape
The situation now. IN caring for the
sea coast fertilization. was just as
foolish and impracticablc, the secre-
tary said. as would be that of a man
who built a fine house. equipped it in
the most perfect manner ana then
went away ana left it to take care Of
itself Their are millions invested in
fortifcations. he said, with no one to
take care Of them.
Chairman Hull remarked that the
depreciation was estimated at q per
cent a year. because of inattendance
Secretary Root assented II this and
said it was something like the trouble
with the Spanish ships, they We're not
taken care of.
The secretary read a letter from Gen.
Miles calling special attention to the fact
that Of the - stations along the seaboacd
hut q are garrisoncd. and Of these not
one is furnished with q relief Such a
condition. Gen. Miles stated, required
earnest ana serious attention. as some
SJh.Hrmh is invested in armament: more
is being added. and men of ability and
efficiency are required 10 care for these
places. AT present. Mr. Root said. there
Were about Hose troops all told in the
United States. about 0ne-half being artil-
lery.
REPRESENTATIVE Cox inquired as to the
necessity Of advancing the rank of Gen.
Miles ana Gen. Corbin. As to the auJu-
tant general, Mr.. Root said that officer
was the center If military administration.
The practice in other armies was to give
the adjutant general a rank commensu-
rate with the Importance of the position
he holds. Ii was 50 in European armies.
he SO in our army. Mr. Hay pointed out
that Inc hill would not apply to Gen. Cor
bins successor.
The secretary expressed the opinion
that the provision should be general AT
the same time. ne added. he considered
the services of the present adjutant gen.
cral during the last TWO years as so bene-
fici Al To The army and to the country that
they mcIitrd the amulest recognition As
to giving the rank NJ lieutenant general
tO the officer commanding the army. the
4 III NJ
cd division ana it certainly did not
seem right tn withhold from an officer
who commanded the entire army the rank
adcunatc to such extended authority. lie
Min not know any other army in the
world in which rank proportionate to the
command uf an army was not accorded.
In the course of a general discussion on
the system of cXchanScahilitY from stan
and nnc to staff. Secretary Root said he
would not like To- have encountered re-
strictiun in placing Gen. Lawton II COM
mand w troops The details uf the bill
We're discussed ut much length ana the
hearing will continue. tomorrow.