The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-30
/ ARMY BILL
For Reorganization Prepared by
Secretary Root and Submitted to
Congressional Committee.

Congressional Committee.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 29.-The
house committee on military affairs, to-
night made public II letter received
from Secretary Root, under date OF the
2Sth inst, transmitting the draft OF a
bill prepared by the war department
for the reorganization OF the army. The
letter says that the army as at present
organized, under the present law, will
cease to exist on July /, 1901, and there
after VIII consist Of n total enlisted
strength of 20,025 men. With further
Legislation, he says, the volunteers now
In service must be discharged July /.
1901, and the regular army reduced
from G5,o0O TO 29,O25 men.
Continuing, the letter says:
Without. leaving much. II any mar
gin for sickness, such rs tho campaigns
OF the past two years warn US must be
counted rs nm important factor In any
occupation by the army. peaceful or
war-ikc. Of many OF the islands which
constitute the Philippine group. the
strength thus fixed must prove utterly
INADEQUATE, leaving out OF consldera-
ton, the service in the United States, in
Porto Rico. and. for the time being. In
the island of Cuba.
Many Serious Problems.
1.-THE army Is confronted with many
serious problems. the solution Of which
demands not only intelligence and wis.
dom, but showing of well organized
force in the new possessions. The his
tory Of our Indian wars is rcplcte with
incidents showing the futllity OF send
Ing an inadequate force to bring into
subsection hostile natives, such as
those occupying the Philippine Islands.
IL Is presumed under these conditions
that Congress will provide n sufficient
number of men to care for the coast de-
tense Qualifications, to provide garrl
sons for the more or less permanent
posts on the Canadian and Mexican
borders and those scattered through :he
Indian country. small gnrrisons In
Porto Rico and Cubn and sufficient
force In the Philippine islands to re-
store order and establish peaceful and
stable conditions OF government.
I'm the preparation OF the present bill!
the minimum number of men Is fixed
for each organization, with provlso
that the President, may, In his discre-
tlon. increase the number OF enlisted
men In any troop, battery, or company,
provided, that the total number of en-
listed men authorized for the army by
Congress shall not ut any time be OK
cceded. ..,,-t-, t3E
Maximum Number Of e6,766.
Authority Is asked In this bill to
-Tnise aTprovistonnls force orsnauvcs In
he island of Porto Rico and also In tie
Philippine Islands. Tho organization OF
thc native troops In the Philippines.
Will, under the peculiar condition ex-
listing there, be proceeded with slowly
and with great care.
"Thc bill provides for minimum or
ganizatlon Of 5S.92i and u maximum or
ganlzatlon OF 06,7GC. Estimates have
been prepared rs to the excess cost Of
volunteers. rendering from one and one
half to two years service, over the cost
OF forCc OF similar strength enlisted
for three years service, and the total
estimate OF the various supply depart
tnpnt q shows the pXCcSS to be Sl69T4 ,009