The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-16
DENIED BY GENERAL MILES.
The Report of His Lobbying for
Army Legislation Untrue.

army LeGtSSNttOn untrue.
Major General MiIr:. when seen at his
home last night. epphaticaily denied the
published statement that while at the Cap
itol on Saturday he was engaged in lobby
ing for the legislation which proposes to
invest him with the rank. pay, and allow
ances of lieutenant general.
General Miles stated that on Saturday
morning he was summoned before the Sem
ate Committee on Military Affairs in his
capacity as President OF the Board Of Ord
nance and Fortifications to make some
statements regarding the appropriations
which the board considers necessary, and
that he remained in the committee room
nearly two hours. He afterward strolled
into the Senate lobby and having the
privilege of the floor went into the Senate
chamber. where he chatted with a number
OF friends from both houses. General
Miles stated that the only time that he
said anything in regard to the subject of
the promotion proposed for him was when
1t was mentioned by two Senator's, who
merely expressed the hope that the re-
quired legislation would be enacted.
That is the second time" he continued,
that have been on the floor of either
house during the present session. and on
both occasions | was summoned before
the Military Affairs Committee
In regard to the statement that he has
proposed changes in the amendment to
the Army Appropriation bill providing for
his increase in rank. General Miles said
that the only change suggested by him
was to make the provision apply to the
senior major general. He explained that
his reason for suggesting this change was
to prevent the Office of Commanding Cen
eral of the Army from becoming a polit-
ical appointment. As originally drawn up
the amendment would permit the desig-
nation Of any officer, no matter what his
rank, TO be the Commanding General and
he could at any time be retired with the
rank OF Lieutenant General and another
offcer appointed to succeed him. These
appointments would be left entirely at the
discretion CT the President without neces-
stating confirmation by the Senate and
would thus become subject for political
preferment.
Such condition of AFFAIRS declared
General Miles earnestly, would be OPP
posed to the traditions of our Army for
the last 125 years and to our democratic
institutions. The Car of Russia might
have the power to designate any officer
as the senior general OF the army, but
that has never been done in this country.
Never since our Army was organized has
that office been made a matter of political
or personal prefermcnt, but has devolved
upon the officer to whom it was due by
right CT seniority. II it were to be made
otherwise l would not want my friends TO
help TO secure the necessary legislation.
and do not believe they would do So
There is no other army of a considerable
size in the world whose senior officers
are of as low rank as are those OF our
Army. Other nations have lieutenant
generals. generals. and field marshals, and
believe it is desirable for the good OF
the service and of the country in general
that some increase in rank should be
made"
General Miles referred to the fact that
at the breaking out of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war there were besides himself two
major generals. Brooke and Merritt. and
that they were the only officers who did
not secure promotion. The brigadier gen.
erals were all promoted to be major gen.
erals, Brigadier Generals Otis and Shafter
being made major generals of volunteers.
while the three officers of highest rank
received no recognition whatever. Cen
eral Miles said that he had personally
suggested hat Major Generals Brooke and
Merritt, who are soon to retire, be re-
tired with ;Se rank OF lieutenant general.
and that Senator Carter, to whom this
suggestion was made, had drawn up an
amendment to the Army Appropriation
bill containing a provision to that effect.
which he has, however, not yet submitted
to the Sc ate.
General niles denied that he had any
intention c.. iesire to limit the increase
in rank of the Commanding General to
himself, and said that though he had
hoped and his friends had worked TO Sc
cure the necessary legisletio in time to
have it benefit him. he also desired to
have the grade OF lieutenant general made
permanent so IS to continue to devolye
upon the senior officer of the Army.
The Senate Committee on Military Al
fairs at its regular meeting next Thurs
day will consider the question of providing
for an increase in the rank Of Generals
Miles and Corbin by amendments to the
Army Appropriation bill, ar, e Is prob
able that the plan will be agreed to; but
should it be considered advisable to Sc
cure this object through the enactment
OF separate laws the required bills will
at once be introduced and there is every
reason to believe that their early passage
will be secured.