New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-15
ARMY REORGANIZATION
THIS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY
AFFAIRS GIVES HEARING TO
SECRETARY ROOT
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBuxE.l

Washington. May 1.-THE hearing before the
House Committee on Military Affairs to-day on
the Army Reorganization bill was interesting and
lively and during the two hours that the Secretary
OF War occupied the attention of the committee
he was the target for a steady fire of questions and
cross-Questions from the members II was ap-
parent from many of the questions asked that
there was strong opposition to some of the pro-
visions of the pending BILL especially the one relat-
ing to the staff corps of the Army. The Score
tarys replies were ready and the point and he
may succeed IN removing of the objections
oetore MS statements, which argumentative
as We'll as explanatory. have been completed at
to-morrow's hearing. AS to the proposed increase
and reorganization of the artillery arm of the
service, which received a good deal OF attention a
more favorable disposition was shown by members
Oh the committee, and that part of the bill will
probably command nearly unanimous support The
statements OF the Secretary We're supplemented by
a communication received by him from the General
or the Army. which he read to the committee
Ihere was some talk about the provisions to ad-
vance the Ma1or-General commanding the Army to
the rank OF Northumberland and the Adjutant-
GENERAL to the rank of Mator-General. in favor of
both of which the Secretary submitted strong
reasons
Before the hearing closed Mr. Hay of Virginia
moved that the heads of the staff departments of
the Army be called before the committee to give
their views but the motion was not disposed of
before the committee adjourned. 1t is understood
that none OF them are in favor of the proposed
legislation relating to those branches of the service
COAST DEFENCES LEFT UNCARED FOR
Secretary Root pointed out that the effect of the
bill as passed by the Senate was to increase the
Army hve thousand or six thousand entirely Ia the
artillery, this increase extending over period
OF years While differing from the provisions orig
fnally recommended Mr.. Root approved the Sem
ate amendment. as 1t would permit the War De-
partment to go to work and put the artillery in
shape The situation now. In caring for seacoast
fortifcation was just foolish and impractcable
he said as would be that of man who built
fine house. equipped IT in the most perfect manner
and then went away and left it to take care of
itself There are millions and millions invested In
Notifications. he said with to take care of
them.
Chairman Hull remarked that the depreciation
was estimated at 25 per cent a year because of in
attention
Secretary Root assented to this. and said Ii was
something like the trouble with the Spanish ships
they were not taken care of.
The Secretary read letter from General Miles
calling special attention to the fact that OF the
seventyfive stations along the seaboard only FORTY
three are garrtsoned, and of these one Is fur
nished with a relief Such a condition General
Miles said, required earnest and serious attention
as some 100000 Is invested in armament and
more IS being added. and of ability and eff
hciency required to care for these places At
present. Mr.. Root said. there about seventeen
thousand troops all told in the United States
one-half being artillery
Representative Cox impaired as to the necessity
Of advancing the rank OF General Miles and Cen
eral Corbin.
AS to the Adjutant-Ceneral Mr. Root said that
officer the centre of military administration
The practice in other armies is give Adiu-
tant-General rank commensurate with the impor-
tance of the post he holds. 1t is So in European
armies, In the State organizations and II used to
be so in the United States Army
Mr.. Hay pointed out that the bill would not ap-
ply to General Corbiu's successor
Secretary Root expressed the opinion that the
provision should be general At the same time he
added. he considered the services the present Adj
iutant- General in the last two years beneficial
TO the Army and to the country that they merited
the amplest recognition AS giving the rank OF
Northumberland to the officer commanding the
Army, the Secretary said major general COM
manded division. and 1t certainly did not seem
right to withhold from officer who commanded
division but the entire Army the rank ade-
Quate such extended authority. He did not
know any other army in the world In which rank
proportionate to the command of an army was not
accorded. After stating the various chief COM
mands given in large armies. the Secretary said
the rank of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT was the lowest given
to any officer in chief command
In the course Of a general discussion on the sys--
of exchangeability from staff to line and line
staff, Secretary Root said he would not like TO
have encountered a restriction on placing General
Lawton or General Macarthur both of whom were
staff officers. in command of troops The details Of
hearing will continue Tomorrow morning.