The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-07
ARMY STAFF BILL
PASSES THE HOUSE
Measure Provides for Detail
of Officers to Direct.
RULES MADE BY PRESIDENT
To Secure Plans for National Defense
and Otherwise Care for the
Military Arm.

After an Intellectual attempt to attach
several amendments to it, the army staff
bill passed the House late yesterday af-
ternoon by a vote of 153 10 81 The
bill provides:
That there is hereby established a
general staff corps, to be composed of
officers detailed from the army at large,
under such rules as may be prescribed
by the President.
THAT the duties Of the general staff
corps shall be TO prepare plans for the
national defense and for the mobiliza-
ton of the military forces in time Of
war to investigate and report upon all
questions affecting the efficiency OF the
army and its state of preparation for
military operations: to render profess
sional aid and assistance 70 the Secre-
tary Of War. and to general officers and
other superior commanders. and to act
as their agents in informing and CO.
ordinatinE the action of all the differ
ent officers engaged in carrying out their
orders. and TO perform such other duties
not otherwise assigned by law as may be
from time to time prescribed by the
President
That the general staff corps shall
consist of one chief of staff and two gen
sraI officers, all TO be detailed by the
President from the officers Of the army
at large not below the grade of brigadier
general; four colonies. six lieutenant
colonels, and twelve majors, to be de-
tailed from the corresponding grades in
the army at large. under such rules for
selection as the President may pre-
scribe; twenty captains. to be detailed
from officers of the army at large of
the grades Of captain or first lieutenant.
who, while so serving, shall have the
rank, pay, and allowances Of captain
mounted. All officers detailed in the
general staff corps shall be detailed
therein for periods of four years, unless
sooner relieved. While serving in the
general staff corps. officers may be tenn
porarily assigned to duty with any
branch of the army. Upon being relieved
from duty in the general stan corps,
officers shall return TO the branch of
the army in which they hold permanent
commission, and no officer except a gen
q al OiiltSI StiSti DC EAlSlDtG 10 IuTLQSF
detail in the general staff corps until
he shall have served two years with the
branch Of the army in which commits
stoned. except in case of emergency in
time OF war
That the chief OF staff. under the di-
rection Of the President and Secretary
Of War, shall have supervision of all
troops OF the line and of the Adjutant
Generals, Inspector Generals. Judge
Advocates, QuaTtermaster's Subsistence,
Medical, Pay, and Ordnance Departments,
the Corps Of Engineers. and the Signal
Corps, and shall perform such other
duties as may be assigned TO him by
the President and Secretary of War.
Duties now prescribed by statute for
the commanding general of the army as
member OF the board of ORDINANCES. and
fertilization and of the board of com
missioners Of the Soldiers Home shall
he performed by the chief of staff OF
other officer designated by the President
Acts and parts OF acts authorizing aides
de-camp and military secretaries shall
not apply 10 general officers Of the gen
eraI staff corps