The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-21

are appointed for four years aud may
be retired or removed at the pleasure
OF the president precisely as they are In
the navy.
Sixth.--An artillery corps In the line
is created. Its strength is 70 be raised
by gradual transfers from other arms
OF the service.
Sevcnth.-one out OF every three pro-
motions In the reglmenta grades will
be made by selection for merit
Eigth.-Instead OF post chaplains.
every regiment win have its own chap
lain.
Ninth. BY section IL. any stan corps
may be abolished by the president
The bill follows closely the recom'
mendations made by the secretary OF
war In his annual report two months
ayo. Its features include all that APP
pear to be feasible az the present time.
the intention being that, with this much
accomplished by legislation, the way
will b. opened and made easier for
such other improvements as will per-
haps develop rs desirable.
Adutant-General Corbln made the
following running comment on the pro-
position;
The hill provides that one-third or
the promotions between the rank or
captain and brigader- er-general shall be
made BY selection. This is to enable
the president to reward specially gal
liant and meritorious services and II
appeais alike to the service and the
country and vet maintains in a reason
able degree promotions by seniority
II recognizes length as we'll as special
fitness Of service and its provisions are
so guarded that only the most deserv-
ins shall receive special recognition and
in no case be the creatures Of personal
or political Intervention. The bill gives
the president control OF the tenure OF
Office of the heads Of stan departments
and he can, by and with the advice and
consent of the senate. make new
head OF a department at any time when
in his Judgment the efficiency of IN"
service would be increased thereby, the
officer relieved being transferred To
the retired list. This places the army
staif on about the same footing as the
heads Of the navy stan departments
The only immediate result under TINS
provision probably would be the retire
ment of General Eagan. commissary-
general. now under suspension. In the
adjutant- generals and inspeetor-sen-
erals departments there will be no iur-
ther appointments but by detail from
the next lower grade Of the line for
term of five years.
The quartermaster's and subsistence
the ordnance and signal
corps. are to be filled by recommended
tions OF boards Of officers appointed to
the records and fitness of Of
ficers. These provisions for details do
not interfere with the tenure OF officers
now on the regular stan departments
or with their promotions, as now pro-
vided by law. They will, however
serve one year in five with such branch
Of the line as the secretary Of war may
designate. This insures all having ex-
perience with troops of the line and
keeping the line and staff OF the army |
in close touch and sympathy.
THE reorganization OF the artillery |
S based on advanced ideas, largely In
use in other countries and urgently |
.alled for by our present system OF |
yea coast artillery defences. It insures
he care OF the heavy ordnance and the |
raining Of officers and men TO handle |
hose guns in active service. The in
.rease OF the artillery will be made by |
OF men from other arms |
# the service and will not Increase the |
present enlisted strength Of the army