New-York tribune., 1902-02-15

oe44lon IN a perfunctory manner to run across
lnnumerable instances where the supply depart
ments accumulated enormous quantities of
stores at various points under the supposition
that they were to be needed by our armies, only
TO find at the last moment a change Of plan
and removal of stores for which there was
10 transportation. and with the usual result
mat the departments concerned were compelled
10 apply the torch and destroy hundreds of
thousands Of dollars worth Of war material. 1t
Is not for an instant contended that a general
stan will prove a panacea for all the ills and
mtsfortunes which overtake country in the
conduct of The war business of a ma
uon cannot be conducted like that of an
dInary corporation. because the competition is
not the ordinary business competition, but that
Of an enterprising enemy bent upon defeat
ing, as far possible, all the business oper-
auons Of the army, because Of the well recog-
niZed belief that without good transport, food
supplies and munitions any army ceases to be
a successful working machine
Similar conditions have prevailed throughout
the war with Spain, and it is quite apparent
that the effort of each individual staff corps to
provide an ample supply of its own stores
causes an undue accumulation of one kind of
supplies at the expense of others equally neces-
sary. A general staff corps that is authorized
to arrange the details for a commanding gen
eral and TO order in advance the character and
Quantty OF supplies with which a command is
10 De provided, VIII possess the authority to
divide the transportation in such a way that
complete rauonS can go with other supplies and
ammunition in quantities bearing ratio TO
lhe needs of the troops The arguments for
general staff could be extended on these lines
indefinitely and thousands of historical in
stances which are not generally understood by
the public, but the cost of which enhances the
cost Of war, could be cited. to justify the in
PRODUCTION Of general staff into the present
army organization.
NEW SYSTEM OF PROMOTIONS.
The next subject recommended for legislation
is the modification Of the recent laws for the
promotion from the ranks 10 the grade
Of commanding officer. From time i'm
memorial it has been the custom in the
army to promote from the ranks those
on-conmissioned officers who had distin-
guished themselves in action. or who had by
their conduct shown marked aptitude and
ability for control of men. A few years prior
TO the outbreak Of the war with Spain this
law was changed. throwing open competition
for promotion to the grade of second lieutenant
10 all enlisted men who could pass an examina-
tion, which was, unfortunately, established on
such plan that numbers of young men with
out special aptitude for control Of men were en-
aoIed 10 pass these examinations and be pro-
NOTED TO the grade of second lieutenant when
they had never even exhibited qualities suft-
cent TO justify their promotion TO the grade of
corporal in their own organizations
It IS proposed to establish a system by
which only non-cor11nissioned officers who have
shown aptitude for command and control OF
men viii be considered for promotion to the
grade Of commissioned officer. and, instead Of
depending upon examination which
quires much cramming, non-cOmmissioned OFF,
GERS shall be given a preliminary examination
TO establish their general character and quail
ncauonS' ana success1ul ones shaIl be sent 10
the General Service and Staff College, at Fort
LeavenwOrth, Kan. for special course OF in
struCtiOn, covering period of six months. They
0DDOTtunttV exercising NJ
mand and 10 show their proficiency as soldiers.
By this system the very best men will be OBJ
present system the department has become
quite we'll assured that while large number
Of very bright and excellent young officers
have been secured, some others have been able
to secure their commissions who were not justly
entitled TO them, while good soldiers not suffi-
GENTLY well posted to pass the examination
hitherto required have failed.
MINOR FEATURES OF THE PLAN.
The remainder Of the bill is intended to cor
rect certain minor difficulties encountered by the
department, and is not OF such general inter
est Authority IS asked for the Secretary Of
War TO direct the public sale OF stores which
may accumulate in excess Of the requirements
Of the army at any particular point and which
are not considered worth transportation. The
Secretary Of War also asks that all the officers
Of artillery promoted to fill original vacancies
caused in the artillery branch Of the army may
the date Of the passage OF the Army bill, the
same as was given TO officers Of infantry and
cavalry who were promoted TO fill vacancies
under that act It may be remembered that
Congress provided that artillery officers would
not be promoted any faster Z IN recruits
obtained for that arm This has caused a delay
Of six months in some cases, and IL is thought
that the question Of rank might be we'll read
tusted at this time. The bill also recommends
that the period which any assistant surgeon
shall have served a surgeon, assistant
contract surgeon since April %, 1898, shall be
counted as a portion Of the five years service
required entltle him to the rank Of captain.
and in fixing the relative rank between assist
ant surgeons who may have served medical
officers or contract surgeons in the regular or
volunteer forces since April %. 1895, shall be
taken into account. 1t is provided that all
patentable inventions possessing a military
value hereafter made by army officers in
tive service shall be the property Of the United
States.
The number Of signal sergeants is authorized
TO be increased to 1S0 during the temporary
emergency in the Philippine Islands. and the
grade Of second class private in the signal corps
is abolished. The number OF electrician ser
geants is increased 10 125.
The Secretary of War. having In view the
question OF the transportation of troops and the
ultimate disposition OF the army transport ser
vice, asks that whenever any vessel used or
owned by the government Of the United States
as an authorized transport shall be sold, such
vessel shall be deemed a vessel Of the United
States and be entitled to be registered and
enrolled al y built in the United States. When
ever the Secretary Of War makes or approves
contract with the owners Of a vessel OF the
United States for the carriage Of military stores
he shall be authorized TO require a stipulation
in such contract under which he shall have au-
possession of such vessel and operate the same
for military purposes upon a reasonable charter
price to be fixed in the contract or 10 De ascer-
taIned thereafter as occasion shall arise by ap-
r,ra