New-York tribune., 1903-01-29
POLITICS IN THE ARuf.
Secretary Root Determines to Stop
the Use of a" Pull

Washington Ian 2s-Secretary Root is deter
mined to discourage the employment OF PoItical IN
nuence in administrative matters OF the army
There has recently come int his possession letter
written by an ENLISTED man in the PhApplhes 10 d
Member Of Congress asking the latter > lllluelc7
in securing the soldiers discharge from the army
1t seems that the Congressman's appearance at the
War Department in behalf OF the so4oler resu4Ieo
in the latters discharge but the Secretary Will pre-
vent the continuance of any such system OF OBTAIN
ing faVors from Washington. To that END ne ms
written to General George w Davis, at Manila
directing that the enlisted men in the Philippines
be instructed that writing direct 10 parties not
connected with the military service sohclung their
influence in securing military faVors IS VIOLATION
Of regulations, and in future will not be condoned
The War Department receives many applications
from Members OF Congress who are interested IN
the discharge OF enlisted men. Most OF these re-
sufficient, but discharges IN such cases shouio
be obtained throush Lllllldiy Mis- NOT he
employed. War Department oInclals say, however.
a soldier orhcer who has a Senator BACK OF
him is not likely to pc afraid to maze axe Te9ueSe
enough TO protect the officer or soldier VINO appeals
1t Will go hard with the fret and second lieuten-
ants OF the line Of the army II the sSsFetaiy @ "
is responsible for the present agitation over tne
revision OF the neal Ns eL officers O. nose Slaae
OF infantry, cavalry and artl!leIy some iiitie aEo
q committee of line heutensnts appeared al the
3 Tevision Of the lists Their request refused.
Since then Representative Bankheaa' % Aapaiiali Al
change, Introduced bill providing Tor the amend
ment He also circulated a statement when naQ
obviously been prepared by the eutenants. since
dealt with the technical question In a way "HIch
showed that Il had received expert treatment sew
eral of the aeutenaRts have taken action through
the courts. but, OF course the war f bePaF T. @ et
Sectly legal but 1t is the intention Of the depart
Inent OF courtmartial ieutenants VINO nave
appealed to Congress II the culprtts can be oscov
cred They have far escaped detection ana their
identity Is not disclosed by Senators and Congress
men, who must know who is behind the pressen15i s15
effort They have had enough influence TO hold
lIp some three hundred nominations OF hrst ana
second neutenants Of the three arms, ana there Is
NO present that the situation Will be improved
The danger grows that these nominations will not
he acted on When Mr. Root before the Senate
Military Committee recently he explained his
method of preparing neal list and insisted that
in should be allowed TO remain in its present form
Ee pointed out the Senators that any clanse
would encourage the insubordlnauon OF Whlcn GER
tain army officers rad been guilty. He said further
that the department had made certain changes IN
The lineeI list relating second heutenants so as
IN change the position of those appointed from the
army He refuses. however, to make furthef
changes and has advised against any interference
by Congress in the matter