Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-20
Summary of ITS Provisions
Given Out.
ARE MANY FEATURES
That Were Not in the Old Code
Secretary Roots Recommendations
Are Carried Out In the Main-C0m-
mentS of Gen. COrbin.

WASHINGTON correspondent gives the fol-
lowing summary Of the army reorgariza-
ton bill. introduced in the house by
Chairman Hull. The bill provides for:
1. The amalgamation of line and staff
with the eventual abolition of the staff
organization.
9. For the permanent staff corps 1t
substitutes a staff composed OF officers
detailed for merit from the line for four
years, Ineligible to succeed themselves
until they have returned to the line at
least one year.
3. All officers at present in the staff
are compelled to serve in the line one
year in five.
a. 1t practically establishes a general
staff, which though dominating the army.
is composed altogether of line officers
selected for ability after competition be-
fore boards of officers.
5. Chiefs Of staff bureaus instead
lingering for life in authority are ap-
pointed for four years, and may be re-
tired or removed at the pleasure of the
president precisely as they are in the
navy.
6. An artillery corps in the line is
created. It's strength is to be raised by
gradual transfers from other arms OF
service.
Z. One out of every three promotions
in the regimental grades will be made by
selection for merit.
s. Instead Of post chaplains. every
regiment will have it's own chaplain.
8. BY Section II any staff corps may
be abolished by the president.
The bill follows closely the
dations made by the secretary of war in
his annual report two months ago. Its
features include all that appear to be
feasible at the present time, the inten-
ton being that. with this much accom-
plished by legislation. the way will be
opened and made easier for such other
Improvements as will perhaps develop
as desirable.
Adjutant General Corbin made the fol-
lowing running comment on the PROPOSE
ton:
The bill provides that one-third Of
the promotions between the rank of cap
tain and brigadier general shall be made
by selection. This is to enable the pres
ident to reward specially gallant and
meritorious services, and 1t appeals alike
to the service and the ountry and yet
maintains in a reasonable degree pro-
motions by seniority. 1t recognizes
length as we'll as fitness of service, and
its provisions are so guarded that only
the most deserving shall receive special
recognition, and in no case be the crea-
lures of personal or political interven-
ton. This bill gives the president con-
troll Of the tenure of Office of the heads
Of staff departments, and he can, by and
with the advice and consent of the sem
dle, make a new neaQ OF a department
at any time when in his Judgment the
efficiency of the service would be in
creased thereby. the officer relieved being
transferred to the retird list. This places
the army staff on about the same foot
ing as the heads of the navy staff de-
partments. The only immediate result
under this provision probably would be
the retirement of General Eagan, COM
missary general, now under suspension,
IN the adJutant generals and inspector
generals departments there will be nc
further appointments. but by detail from
the next lower grade of the line for a
tour of five years.
The q~uartermasters and subsistence
departments, the ordnance and sigma.
corps, are to be filled by recommendation
of boards of officers appointed to ascer.
tain the records and files Of officers
These provisions for details do not in.
terfere with the tenure of officers now
on the regular staff departments, or will
dnelr promotions as now provided by law
Ihey will, however, serve one wear II
i've with such branch of the line as tn,
secretary OF war may designate. Thi,
lnsures all having experience with troop,
OF the line and inping the line and star
OF tine army in close touch and sym
pathy. sym
The reorganization of the artillery Il
passed on advanced ideas, largely in MS,
IN other countries and urgently called 70
ny our present system of sea coast artil
iery de1enses. 1t insures the care of TIN,
HeaVy ordnance and the training OF Off
GERS and men to handle those gums i,
active service. The increase of the artil
lery Will be made by distribution of me,
from other arms of the service and will
not increase the present enlisted strength
OF the army"