The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-03
GENERAL STAFF CORPS BILL.
Bill Introduced by Mr.. Hull-Other
House Matters.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Representative
Hull, chairman of the House committee on
military affairs, to-day introduced a bill
creating a general stan corps OF the United
States army. The bill is in line with Secre-
tary Roots recommendations. IL provides
that the staff be composed of officers de-
tailed from the army at large under such
rules as the President may prescribe The
proposed duties of the staff are to prepare
plans for the national defense and for the
mobilization of. the military forces
in time of war; to investigate and report
on all questions affecting the efficiency or
the army and its state of preparedness for
military operations; TO render professional
aid to the secretary of war and to general
officers and other superior commanders.
and to act their agents I'm forming and
co-ordinating action of all the different
officers in carrying out their orders. 1t is
proposed that the general staff corps con-
sst of one chief of stan of the army with
the rank and pay OF lieutenant general
one major general and one brigadier gem
eral TO be detailed by the President from
officers at large not below the grade OF
brigadier general: four colonels six lieu
tenant colonels and twelve majors to be
detailed from the corresponding grades in
the army at large; twenty captains
Details shall be for four years and off,
GERS detailed may be assigned 10 any
branch OF the service. The bill provides
further that the chief OF stan under the
direction Of the President and secretary OF
war shall have supervision of all troops
OF the line and OF the several administra-
tive staff and supply departments and
shall be a member OF the board Of ordnance
and fortifca tions. Under the bill fnspec-
tions OF troops are to be made habltually
by commanding officers and inspections OF
the army at large by the general staff
The inspection of money accounts now
made by the inspector general of the army
is transferred to the Treasury Department
Provision is made for the gradual re1uc\
ton and final abolishment of the inspecfd
generals department as a separate orgal
izatfon. The measure was introduced Il
the Senate by Senator Proctor The hi
was drawn by the War Department and
differs considerably from the measure of
the past session.
Representative Foss, of Illinois chair
man of the House committee on naval
affairs, had an extended conference with
the President to-day about naval matters.
and especially respecting the lack of Of
ficers to man the big freighting ships prom
erly. Mr.. Foss has a plan for the in
crease of the number OF naval officers
with which the President is impressed ia
vorably. IL Is that Congress enact a law
doubling the number OF cadets annually
appointed TO the Naval Academy during a
perior OF twelve years The operation OF
such a law, il is said. would furnish a
sufficient number OF officers TO meet the
needs OF the service and at the end os
twelve years the NUMBER or cadets
nually appointed could be reduced with
safety 10 the present number Mr. Foss
regards IL as quite likely that his commit
tee will endeavor at the present session TO
meet the existing deficiency I'm the number
of naval officers.
Elections committee No OF the House
decided to-day 10 report adversely on the
resolution offered yesterday proposing that
the credentials Of Carter Glass, elected 10
the House from Virginia. be investigated
The resolution was presented with view
OF having an inquiry made OF the new
Virginia legislation as regards alleged dis
franchisement Of voters. The committee
decided that no action was advisable at
this session inasmuch as a full delega-
tion from Virginia and other States which
had adopted new Constitutions Will present
credentials at the beginning OF the next
Congress. Therefore. the committee -