The Washington times., 1901-10-15

President nm Advocate of the Prin-
eipIe Laid Down by Secretary
Root-Recommen for Exec
President Roosevelt has indicated dis
position TO withhold interference with the
rulings Of military courts5martial, and
intends to sustain the action Of all mill
tary courts, except where there has been
apparent injustice. In this purpose to up
hold military courts he will closely fol-
low the principle laid down by Secretary
Root, that outside influence should not be
allowed to interfere with military law.
A case soon to come before the President
for his action will, in a measure, furnish
an opportunity to put this determination
in practice. 1t is that of Lieut.. James T.
Howell, of the Sixth Artillery, tried some
months ago in the Philippines on a charge
of drunkenness on duty. The court found
him guilty and was compelled, under the
law, to fix his punishment at dismissal
from the army. The papers in the case
were endorsed by the department com
mander. with a Recommendation for leni-
ency on the part of the President.
Upon examination by the Judge Advo-
cate Of the Army, the proceedings were
found correct, and We're so reported. Both
General Miles and Adjutant General Cor
bin concurred in the suggestion that
there be no deviation from the principle
laid down by Secretary Root, and they
recommended that the action of the court
martial be approved.
1t now remains for the action of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. 1t is certain that strong
influence viii be brought to bear to save
the young officer, as he comes from an in
fuential lowan family.
He was appointed to the army July 9,
1898, from Iowa, and assigned to the
Sixth Artillery. He had no previous SER
vice in any of the volunteer regiments,
but since entering the service up to the
time of the offence for which he was tried
his recoru was good. Senator Allison,
who is said to be interested in the case,
will probably make strong appeal for
him. In view of the disposition of the
War Department officials and the Presi-
dent to insist upon the approval of the
actien Of courts-nartial, 1t is thought that
his dismissal will stand.
There are other cases which will go to
the President with recommendations for
leniency. They are the cases of Lieut.
enant Townley, of the Marine Corps. and
Captain Reed, of tie Commissary Depart
ment of the Army. both of whom were
tried in connection with irregularities in
the Philippines and found guilty. As yet
Secretary Long has not acted upon the
Townley case, as he is waiting to see
what disposition is made by Secretary
Root in the Reed case.
In connection with the principle laid
down by Secretary Root, it has just come
TO light that it is proposed to adopt strin-
gent measures to improve the personnel
of the army. A careful investigation has
disclosed the fact that there are Off
GERS in the army who have maintained
their present positions simply by reason
of avoiding any gross errors which might
call for their trial. Secretary Root is
determined to get rid of dead timber.
One of the measures under consideration
for accomplishing this is to make the eX-
animation by army boards on promotion
more stringent than they have been in
the past. Officers are constantly being
ordered before boards Tor promotion, and
the records eI.s-. tnaJ sviI--- ----- aro
ars,-tSSTSyefs rejected. 1t is now proposed
to make the examination more difficult,
and as part of the examination of Off
GERS, general fitness Will also be enquired
into.
Failure to pass examination for promo
tion under the law means that the officer
must leave the service. Stringent eAac-
tions, 1t is thought, will naturally induce
greater study and activity on the part
of officers. who might otherwise be con-
tent to remain on the lists, and wait for
time and seniority for promotion.