New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-15
CRITICISING THE ARMY.
SECRETARY ROOT CONTINUES HIS Eff
FORTS FOR REFORM
DEFECTS IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM
POINTED OUT TO THE SENATE COM
MITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNE.l

MITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS.
EBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNE.l
Washington, April 14.-secretary Root has by
no means given up all hope of securing
Army legislation at this session OF Congress,
although neither the Senate nor the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs has up to this time
given much encouragement to the reorganiZa-
ton projects urged in the Secretary's annual re-
port Mr.. Root Is continuing his efforts 20 effect
some remedial measures for the more glaring
abuses in the present tariff system and to obtain
least partial relief for the artillery His last
visit to the Senate Committee developed some
plain talk on Army shortcomings, which ind
Gated sufficiently the chief sources OF opposition
to his plans. At this hearing he was accom-
panied by Colonel Carter, of the Adjutant Cen
erals office. The following summary is taken
from the official notes Of the hearing. which was
private, customary.
INCREASE OF ARTILLERY URGED.
After explaining the imperative need Of the
artillery increase, which merely provides single
relief for the guns mounted in the coast
defences and which Indispensable, whether
the Army remained at 100000 men or was re-
duced to the q 900 of three years ago, Mr.. Root
said
very much hope that secure an effec-
tive force of National Guardsmen for the sea-
coast artillery to supplement the Regular Army
l.
tons Of that kind. Only day before Yesterday
authorized the issue Of blue prints Of our guns
and machinery in our seacoast forthcatlons on
the Atlantic Coast TO the regiment OF drlIlleIJ
in Massachusetts. A National Guard force or
heavy artillery come in at any time. II they
have been instructed, and serve the guns with
out going away from their homes. infantry
or cavalry regiment might be required to do, so
that that is a service which ii seems 10 me tley
can render with great ease.
DEFECTS IN THE STAFF SYSTEM
When the proposition for limited tenure In
staff service came up for discussion, and the
Secretary had explained the plan for inter
changeable line and staff duty, the following
colloquy ensued
Senator Proctor-Let me ask If there have not
been quite numerous cases in the staff appoint
ments where the men were either not specla!y
fitted for the duties of that department or for
| some reason have become inefficient. and whether
| the service would not be greatly improved II
| there was this flexible opportunity TO change,
| and the men could be sent to some place IN the
| line where they would be Of use?
The Secretary Of War-That is undoubtedly
Senator Proctor-And more efficient men
! brought into the staff?
| The Secretary Of War-Undoubtedly
| Senator Proctor-Has 1t not been an enbar-
! rassment, and sometimes quite a serious one
| in administration?
! are three things to be accomplished by TINS
| change. One is the effect on the stair itself NC
| man cen keen I'D with the wants Of live Army
| spending his time a desk in an office. re-
gard II aa of vital Importance to the efficiency
| and life OF the STAFF that It's members shall GO
back to serve in the line and become from time
! to time revived IN their knowledge ana apprecl-
| alton Of the needs Of the Army and the things
that ought TO be done by the staff. do not
| want to say anything against anybody or to
| criticise anybody.
SENATOR sEwELL DEFENDS THE STAFF
Senator SeweIl-Mr. Secretary, the Senator from
Vermont has been asking rather leading ques-
tons which you acQuiesce in would ike tc
know of any such myself L know all
! these gentlemen. They have all come into the
| staff after twenty twenty-five years or ser
| vice and generally for some gallant action
| They are men who have been kept fifteen or
| twenty years and do not know Of any IN the
| staff corps to-day that inefficient or drones
| Senator Proctor-What is that? In any of the
staff corps?
| Senator SeweII-Tn any Of them
Senator Proctor should be pleased TO make
| out a list for your private information
| Senator Sewell-I would like TO see them. II
! is very well to make assertions, but would like
| TO see them.
The Secretary Of War-Senatori l am not
going 70 make charges here against any
! body will make this broad statement
that there is man in any stan
CORPS at Washington that Will not be bene-
flied by going back into the line and spending
a full year Of service in the line, not one Colo
| mel Carter but recently came from the line, ano
| | will undertake say that II, after the ex-