The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-08
YOUNG OFFICER
SHOULD NOT WE'D
Post canteen a Good Thing For
the Army.
VOCAL MUSIC A NECESSITY
GIsT OF THE REPORT OF ADJU-
TANT GENERAL coRBIN.

VI distinction, Nov. THE annual
w report Of Adjutant General Cor
bin Of the army deals with every
feature of the army and begins with a
statement showing that the army is to
be reduced by Dec. I to SC, 020 men. of
which about 2,S77 belong to the staff
departments.
The report shows that during the
fiscal year thirty-five officers were killed
in action or died of wounds and disease,
twenty-one resigned and sixty-eight re-
tired OF the enlisted men 1,2T7 were
Killed or died of wounds and disease
3o,oO6 were discharged on the exDira-
ton Of service. 5.49S were discharged
Tor disability or dismissed by order of
court-martiaI. 1867 deserted two were
missing and 2O3 retired.
General COrbin, in calling attention
10 ms FORMER recommendation that the
rank of pay for military attaches
abroad should be Increased suggests
that retired officers of high rank might
be selected for this service While the
number Of attaches have been de-
creased, the service has improved be-
cause of the reciprocal relations that
nave been established with the war de-
partments Of several governments
where officers are stationed.
General COrbin discusses the various
schools of the army and points out the
advantages which will accrue through
them.
Army Maneuvers.
In reviewing the reports of officers
who participated in the army and navy
rnaneuvers last September, General
CorDin says that much valuable infor-
nation was acquired. He says
me maneuvers have proved that the
rank and file of our army can be de-
pended upon in every emergency; that
apparently impossible tasks can be ac-
compnShed under the spur of necessity
and that there is an immeasurable
gull between practice and theory. The
lessons learned by both officers and
men were Of more practical value than
years OF ordinary garrison routine and
instructions"
He strongly recommends that similar
exercises be conducted annually and be
made to embrace each year a new thea
tire OF operations so that the benefit
may be shared by the different garri-
sons in the several fields of defense,
General Corbin adds:
1.-THE conviction expressed by the
commanding general in charge of the
land defenses that every officer and en-
listed man of the army and Official Of
the national guard, who took part in
the maneuvers, entertains a feeling Of
edmiration for the splendid manner in
which the naval part of the programme
has been conducted, whereby the con-
uQEnCe IN the aIecLlOn Tor the sister
service, ever constant, has been re-
neWed and emphasized by this exceed
ingiy agreeable association in prosecut-
ing professional work of great import
ance to the nation. voices a sentiment
heartily concurred in by the army"
Obsolete Arms.
The adjutant general has obtained
the number and kind of arms in the
hands of the national guard in the sew
nd ind har
United States magazine rifles in their
possession. OF the multitude of other
types he says:
This heterogeneous collection OF
obsolete arms is a very serious detri- |
ment to the efficiency of the entire ma
tionaI guard which in organization,
drill. instruction, etc, asstmilates close !
~ to the regular army and should be
armed with the same arms as the lat
fer"
General Corbiu recommends legisla- J
ton providing that Major Generals
Merritt Brooke and Otis, now on the
retired list, be given the rank of lieu
tenant general and that Colonies Gill
more and Williston be given the rank
of brigadier generals on the retired list
He has the following to say concern
eng early marriages in the army:
Marriage Discouraged.
THE early marriage OF the younger
officers Of the army, many of whom are
entirely dependent upon their pay and
allowances for support, is greatly 10 be
deplored and should be discouraged a
young officer should have but one al
Iesiance, and that should be to the
service. Those without private means
must necessarily divide their pay be-
teaeen the demands OF their Office and
Family. A considerable number are re-
quired for service in the Philippines.
where living is expensive, and the ac-
cOmplishnent of this tour of duty re- /
suits IN actual hardship to officers with /
families
General Corbin says the detail staff
system has worked well and he be-
lieves that the scheme for a general /
staff. is the best solution for vexatious
friction that had been planned
General COrbin has the following to /.
say regarding the canteen:
Canteen Favored.
1.-THE restoration of the exchange as
It existed prior to the passage OF the /
act of Feb. 2, 1901, prohibiting the sale /
Of beer, is desired and urged By the
great majority Of officers and men and {
BY none more than those of pronounced 1
temperance views Numerous reports :
confirm the views long held by this Of
fee that the old exchange contributed
20 sObriety, health and contentment Of ,
the men, The increase Of assertions /
and Of trials for infractions of dis /
cipline is, by those best informed, at 4
tributed to the abolition of the former 4
privileges Of the exchange"
IN conclusion he says:
The instruction Of our men in vocal /
music would be a step in the direction /
Of contentment and better discipline /
Every regiment should have its march, !
ing song Frequent practice in sing /
ing particularly during the long VIM I
Ter evenings, would do much to make /
he men satisfied to remain in quarters /
and away from the baleful influence of /
= the barrOoms that exist IN too great |
aumbers in the vicinity of our military /
posts. These barrOoTns are under the /