The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-22
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL
AN IMPORTANT MEASURE THAT Is
SLEEPING IN THE HOUSE.
Effort to Be Made to Pass Antitrust
observation-disclosures Causing
Delay-Indiana Bills.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

missioner Evans denies tnat ne mas re-
signed or has any intention + resign.
saying that he expects to serve out his
term. The turn affairs took to-day makes
it seem probable that he will hold on.
Commander-in-Chief Shaw, of the Grand
Army of the Republic, is here, and has had
interviews with Commissioner Evans and
the secretary of the interior. After these
interviews the G. A. r. commander an
nounced that Commissioner Evans would
carry out the pension law of 1890 in the
spirit in which 1t was intended and in &C
cordance with an amendment which be-
came a part of the law by act of Congress
last week. Heretofore applicants for PEN
sions under this law who were suffering
from several infirmities or disabilities, no
one of which was sufficient to give the ap-
plicant pensionable status, would be re-
fused pension. The amendment in ques-
ton provides that in such case the diff
ferent infirmities or disabilities shall be
aggregated and rated and the applicant
pensioned according to such rating. This
was the principal point of controversy be-
tween Commissioner Evans and the G. A.
r. Now that he has, like Captain Scotts
coon, ''come down." that organization
will. 1t is understood, withdraw its oppo-
sition. In spite. of the commissioners de-
NAL 1t is positively stated in quarters that
ought to know that Evans's resignation
was rendered to the President last Thurs
day. and that Commander-in-chief Shaw's
visit here at this time is due to the fact.
the President preferring that the contro-
versy of the veterans with Commissioners
he
now appears to be the case.
The bill providing for the reorganization
is still pending in the House military COM
mittee. 1t increases the strength Of the
artillery arm of the service to something
like what 1t should be; abandons its reg
mental organization. and constitutes it
the Artillery Corps of the army, which
ought to have been done long ago. 1t
changes the system of permanent ap-
poiniments to the various staff depart
ments of the army to one of detail from
the line, with the exception of the medical
and engineering departments and the chap
lains. This is excellent change, except
as to one department, the ordnance. This
branch of the service is intrusted with
duties that require a high order of special
ability and great technical knowledge. 1t
is scientific corps, and should be main
tanned as SUCH Indeed. II demands in
acquired knowledge than any other branch
of the military service, the engineers not
excepted. AS matter of fact, there is
mighty little in the way of military en-
cheering to be done now
adays, and the members of
the corps of engineers are principally
engaged in river and harbor work, the
most arduous part of their duties being to
keep their money accounts straight. The
officers of the ordinance corps highly
trained and progressive body of specialists
who are in line with the most approved
methods and latest developments of their
branch of the military service. To change
the system of their organization from per-
manent appointment as ordinance officers
to one of detail from the line of the army
Tor short term of duty would be to destroy
its efficiency, Adjutant General Corbin to
the contrary Notwithstanding He testified
before the House military committee that
any officer who had been in the army ten
years would make a competent ordinance
officer. This is rank nonsense. The major
ity of the line officers of the army and
men have no natural aptitude for me-
chanics, and without that no man can be
an efficient all around ordinance officer. 1t
does not follow that the possessor of that
aptitude would make a good ordinance or
any other king of officer but without il, it
is certain he would be a lamentable failure
ir. the ordinance corps. The
argument sometimes used by line
that they might make the weapons they
use is not sound. AS well might it be
argued that the user of typewriting ma
chine should make it. The bill now pending
nance department from the change to the
detail system. Another amendment that
should be made is to make the details sys-
tenn, as to the remaining staff departments
go into effect, at least to the lower
grades now instead of waiting until the
incumbents die or retire from old age. Fail
ing the exception of the ordnance from the
detail system, the bill should fail. It's
failure now would probably result in a
much better measure next winter.
The controller of the currency announced
to-day the election of z. B. p. Trapp as
cashier of the First National Bank. of
8. Wilson, assistant cashier vice Trapp He
has also approved the National City Bank
of New York, as a reserve agent of the
Hamilton National Bank. of FIT. Wayne
Xxx
A postoffice has been established at Ken
sal. White county. and Christopher Kensal.
appointed postmaster.
An effort will be made before adjournment
to pass the resolution submitting to the
legislatures Of the various states the CON.
stitutional amendment giving to Congress
the power to regulate trusts recently re-
ported to the House by Chairman Ray. of
the judiciary committee Of that body. It's
chances Of passage are not good, as it re-
ouires a two-thirds vote to send IL TO the
Senate, and the Democrats are solfdIy ar
rayed against It, After exhausting the adj
jectives and adverbs supplied by the die
tionaries and inventing some new ones
wherewith to denounce trusts" the DEM
ocratic members of the House judiciary
committee. and of the House generally. re-
fuse to join In proposition that would
give Congress ample power to regulate and
control trusts and remedy any evils that
grow out Of industrial or other combina-
tons. They want to leave the matter with
the States. Indeed, in committee they tiled
to insert provisions that would subordinate
congressional legislation under the pro-
subject. thus in effect proposing to inject
notification into the Constitution itself.
The prospect for the passage through
the House Of Littlefield's bill to amend the
antitrust law OF 1890. as amended in COM
mitee and reported by Mr. Overstreet of
Indiana, is much better that that of the
proposed constitutional amendment in
asmuch as 1t requires only majority vote.
Notwithstanding 1t greatly extends the
scope of the antitrust law. strengthing
where II Is weak. Here again the Demo-
cratic members of the Judiciary commit
tee were united In opposition to the pro-
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