Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-22
GEN. CHAFFEE REPORTS
Annual Statement Submitted
to War Secretary.
CEN TRALIZED POWER
VIEWS ON VARIOUS MATTERS AT
FECTING THE ARMY.
Discusses National Guard, Small Arms
Practice, Trials by Courts-Martial
p and Philippine Needs.


and Philippine Needs.
Major General A. r. Chaffee. commanding
the department Of the east, submitted his
annual report to the acting secretary of
war today, which includes a resume of
the reports of the chiefs Of the staff de-
partments under his command. In view of
the fact that Gen. Chaffee will succeed Gen.
Young as chief of staff next January, his
views on questions affecting the army are
regarded of more than ordinary signifi
canoe. On the general subject of the CEN
tralization of power. he says in part:
Pertinent to the statement of the chief
quartermaster that 4.572 estimates and
acquisitions have been received and acted
upon by his office. it should be further
noted that practically all these estimates
and acquisitions were forwarded to the War
Department for final action by the quarter
master general-this without regard as to
how large or how small the sum of public
money involved, how consequent or insig-
nificant the matter for decision. Request
for the repair OF a wagon wheel, the shoe
ing Of a horse, dollars worth of car
tickets. the issue Of a water bucket under
this Capitalization system Of the quarter
masters department.. are in the same cate
and a set Of officers quarters. and travel
the same highway to the single goal of
authority for final action, the quarter
master general.
Seemingly GENERALIZATION Of power in adj
minstration cannot exceed the present de-
velopment in the quartermasters depart
ment 1t Is the full blown rose, so to speak
When GENERALIZATION has been carried to
such a degree in military matters that high
command cannot give effective assistance
in administration Of minor or common at
fairs. 1t Is evident decentralization to a
limited extent would be useful and desira-
BILE. The risk would not be extraordinary
If department commanders were authorized
to exercise final authority on matters in
vOlving expenditures not exceeding $500;
and 1t Is fair to assume that the exercise Of
such authority would engender a sense of
responsibility fully adequate for the pro-
lection Of the governments interests. The
sum Of assistance which the chief quarter
master Of this department and the depart
ment commander Is capable Of rendering in
administration Of affairs OF the quartermas-
ter's department under present conditions Is
limited to formal recommendations, and as
regards this assistance 1t is probable that
one-half OF the 1872 recommendations made
during the past year for the informa ton Of
the quartermaster general have not had the
weight Of hair in the determination Of the
matter involved. Valuable time would have
been saved had these papers been forward
ed direct from the post concerned to the
quartermaster general at Washington"
Chapter on National Guard.
He devotes chapter to the National
Guard with special reference to the inspec-
ton of the militia organizations in the
states, in the military department Of the
east and the District Of Columbia. These
inspections covered 932 companies of in
fantry, SO troops Of cavalry. 50 batteries Of
field artillery 40 companies Of heavy ar
tilery, 8 separate signal corps, and sepa-
rate hospital and ambulance corps. total
Of 81 COB officers and enlisted men. land in
the MAN," says Gen. Chaffee, showed a
very satisfactory condition.
The officers making the inspection exer
cised care and tack. Their reports indicate
that in the important Items of discipline,
mobilization and target practice the Ma
ttonal Guard show commendable progress,
that the governmental supervision to the
extent defined by law will produce beneficial
results and that within the time fixed five
years from the date Of the approval of the
act), the organization and armament Of the
National Guard will conform to the organi-
zation and armament prescribed for the
regular and volunteer armies Of the United
States.
Under the stimulus Of the law and these
inspections. there has been hearty co-opera-
ton between the National Guard and the
regular army in this department.
The Next Step.
1.-THE next step. under Section Is Of the
act. was an endeavor to ascertain the
wishes of the governors Of the several
states in respect OF participation Of the or
ganized militia in maneuvers. encamp-
ments and field instruction with the regular
army. In this department there is no large
tract Of land under the Jurisdiction Of the
department commander suitable for en-
camping large bodies of troops
There being no target range in the vi
- Vortr bowl ha ty,fa fy.xy
troops there stationed would have had no
target practice without considerable ex-
pense had it not been that the authorities
Of the state of New Jersey very courteously
offered the use of their range at Sea Grit,
N j., whereat nine companies of regular
infantry and certain men of the battalion
Of engineers from Washington barracks,
D. c.. completed the prescribed course of
range for periods covering three months,
during which time part Of the National
Guard of the state was encamped there.
Reciprocal Courtesies.
ION the other hand. the National Guard
in the western part Of the state of New
York were permitted to use the range at
Fort Niagara. These reciprocal courtesies
tend to harmonious cooperation to the
lasting good. both of the regulars and mill
tia The courtesy Of the authorities of the
state Of New Jersey is appreciated and has
been duly acknowledged.
THE experience of the past year Indicates
that the National Guard troops in this sec
ton Of country can best arrange to encamp
during July and August. for the reasons
| that the weather conditions are favorable
at that time of year. and that the mem
bers can then best arrange to obtain leave
from their employers.
These same months are designated for
the regular target practice season in this
department. and 1t has been difficult and
| at times impossible for this reason, to meet
satisfactorily the requests of governors of
! states for regular troops to camp with the
state troops. 1t is therefore suggested that
an understanding be had. If possible, where
by combined encampments of United States
| and National Guard troops shall be held
| from July l to August 10. which period
could be excluded from the regular target
| season in this department"
Small Arms Practice.
Referring to small arms practice. General
Chaffee says that the inspector recommends
that a large permanent rife range be Sc
cured in the vicinity of Washington for the
use of troops stationed thereabouts. and for
department national and international
.