The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-04-03
SECRETARY ROOTS ARMY BILL.


there is still considerable OF speculation as to
whether not the president viii force General Miles TO re-
tire result of the several refractory performances IN
duged in recently by the latter there doubt apparently
in the minds Of army and others interested IN the
matter that the known as the army rorgants
ton bill is dead The fact that Miles killed may prove to
be factor in the future the president with refer
ence 10 him
Notwithstanding interested statements the contrary,
there Is no doubt that favor Of the bill
exists only III the department The general impression
for some time past have been that all OF the rePuo
licans, at least the military affairs
we're in favor OF the bill and that party lines would be drawn
during its consideration This is by no the
Even Senator Hawley OF Connecticut who is chairman OF
the committee, is very strongly opposed the various re
forms which proposed by Mr. Root il is fact that
Senator Hawey introduced the bill but this by means III
dcates that he avors it. The printed bill does state
that Senator Hawley introduced by request nut that is
practically what it The framed az
the war department and the committee and Mr. Haw
ley presented It 10 the simply matter OF form
Mr. Hawey has gone record being bitterly opposed
TO the measure and while the other members OF the
committee have expressed themselves quite fobl there
are the best OF reasons for believing that the
overwhelming against the Root plan that 1t will be absolutely
impossible for the friends OF the to favor
able report Just at this time appears that attempt
being made to pacae Senator Hawey and those who hold
opinions similar to his by bringing party to bear on
the strenuous the White House the end that
action be taken in the Miles during the tendency Of the
BILL There IS doubt that for several days alter the
what sensational testimony given before the commit
tee by General Miles the president extremely anxious
take immediate advantage OF his prcrogavc the premises
and place the commanding the retired list where
his ability to do further harm the would be
practically nil But Secretary Root and certain members OF
congress who were interested in the proposed "reoganiza
on OF the that whatever chances their bill might
possess would be completely destroyed by such step and
that the discreet thing do would be allow the general
to unpublished until the arrival propious
1t Is hardly likely that this element has any unusual
qftt 1tgf,
committee make favorable report but unquetonaby
believes that the best thing do present ignore
General Miles completely possible and bend its
tire energies toward doing whatever there be done in
the interest OF the bill The ultimate somewhat
problematica but the chances that The Root bill will
be favorably reported and that General Miles will be
at the first favorably opportunity.
The provision in the Root bill to which objection is prin
eipay made by officers and military authorities is
which seeks have staff corps established order that
the matter be fully understood the OF this provision
is here given
That the president authorized to detail from the army
designated the general corps shall be
comprehensive plans ior The National defense and Tor the
moPu1anon OF military forces ~ time OF war: 10 consider
aud report upon all questions affecting the
hccucy OF the army including organizations methods
pasn collection of military information and such other pro-
means for the cooperation OF the military forces
OF The United States, with view TO harmonious action ia
arrangement OF material for the military history Of the
means Of professional military Information shall be at any
time at the disposal OF the department
That the officers detailed from the army at large for the
performance OF the general duties shall constitute the
general stan corps which shall consist OF chief OF
eTa who shall be detailed by the president by and with
large below grade OF brigadicr general to
serve for period OF four unless relieved ono
tailed BY the president by and with the adye and consent sec o
me senate from he onees OF the army at large for period
OF o9r years unies sooner renewed and who while
g shall have the rank pay and allowances Of the grade
twelve majors all OF whom shall be detailed from officers Of
corresponding grades IN the at large, under rules
for selection as the president may prescribe to serve for me-
mounted who shall be detailed from otfcefs "f & V,in
oT period OF tour years Unless relieved All od
GERS detailed to the general shall at the expira
return to duty with the branch OF the army in which com
mesioned or to different branch in the discretion of the
Sc aS NO OF o Near .Re f%e9i - cases Of emergency
inc ne IN the intervening period provided that no acts au
serving " detail general officers in the general ste no
That tn CHIEF Of the senera staff shall supervise the en-
ro e war 9epameR and on special detached service and
secretary OF war General staff officers assigned to duty IN
hed sha be under The direct supervision OF their respective
era 6 6S from nj and nd after The G9sss Of this act the senior gen
Ss5 10 u IN; army a. me president may direct be de
49 'i le general stan All duties
y law 3y ne commanding general the shall be
formed W he Chet OF general staff other general officer
designated by tue secretary OF provided that s o
a. me present lieutenant general OF the army continues on
VIC a't'e st he shall he the chief o general staff and mon
the separation from active service Of the said lieutenant %
Graz OF me army said office except as herein provided
cease ana determine he chief OF artillery shall he 40,
per OF ne general staff and while serving as chief nj sti
ey s9al nave the rank and allowances of brpsds
81 -
II must be ad'ed that the points made against this pro
VISION OF the i'l are strong Military men aeneralv
WITH the possible exception Of those who hope to profit no
the passage of the biagree with General Miles in tb
ION that the enactment OF such law would DESTROY the r
OF the army and would prevent anything like aujek acton
IN time Of emergency Il will be remembered that General
Miles cited an instance while giving his testimony before M
committee which tended demonstrate very eoneIpsii
the actual danger which would the military e,ah
ishmen in the that concerning the moyen
OF troops in time OF anything OF like nature and
euu mno h,,,a 20, IA. Il L.