The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
The Trouble Experienced I'm War De.
partment on that Account.

Washington Letter in Boston Transcript. :
Probably few persons who were not in
Washington during the Spanish war have
any conception of the Generalization ex-
listing in the War Department throughout
that period 1t was traceable in part to
rsonal idiosyncracies. but quite as much
the deformed and ineffective organiza-
ton which left several officers. military and
civil, in such attitudes toward each other
that coordination and good discipline were
almost out of the question. Even at this
late day outcroppings of the wartime con-
ditions are found In the hearings by the
Senate committee on military affairs, while
considering the general staff bill. Ex-Sec-
Rotary Alger, who is now a member of that
committee, strongly favors the bill as the
main hope OF the military esta blishment
for relief from an intolerable situation.
The other day Senator Warren. of the
committee, read an extract from the report
of the Dodge commission of 1885, saying
that on May IL of that year 1.-The secretary
Of war instructed the major general COM
mand1rg the army 10 inspect certain troops.
The major general did not act upon
such instructions stating it to be his place
10 order inspection.
Secretary Root, who was on the witness
stand at the time, admitted that il is not
often nowadays that matters go as far as
that, but leaving Ii TO be inferred that he
has been occasionally a sufferer; Mr.. AL
THE major general commanding the
army brought that order up and threw 1t
down on my desk and said: Mr.. Secretary.
myself | said Then you are not under
my command"
And moment later he went on:
THE world knows my relations-or that
j had no relations whatever-with the lieu
tenant general of the army while / was
secretary OF war, and knows what my ex-
perience was. And yet l wish TO say that
his place down in the corner of that build
ing Is one that l would not fill for day.
The orders and directions given by the
President to the different departments all
have to go through the secretary of war
for supplies of all kinds; and that was the
case at that time, and the major general
commar ding had simply to sit there.
wish that the whole thing could be abol-
be given command. instead of being ham
pered as he was, with absolutely no au-
thorit,."
Surely" suggested Senator Warren,
the secretary OF war, in conjunction with
the President. who Is the commander-in-
chief OF the army, should have the poor
satisfaction Of having an inspection when
he desires to know the condition in which
But" answered Mr.. Alger, frankly Il
did not have the time to go and beat him
out"
whss Secretary Root had gone further
into the explanation of the status of Gen
Miles IL the staff bill should pass before
his date OF retirement, Senator Alger in
quired:
What would you do with the lieutenant
general IL you had him on your hands?"
He would lead a life of dignity and
leisure. responded Mr.. Root. He could
be put In command of any department"
1T should be provided" remarked Mr.
Alger. as a parting comment that he
fngton."
General Miles seems to have made an in
5udicious choice of a time to go Philippine
Ing.