Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-27
SENATE PASSES ARMY BILL.
conference Report on Legislative Bill
Agreed 70.

In the Senate yesterday afternoon Mr..
Hale made pointed criticism of the opera-
uon or the law creating a general star
Inc general staff he said, "makes the
secretary OF War figurehead; all his au-
thorlty is usurped." He fclted instances in
winch ne had sought Information concern
ing purely administrative questions. and
mad been referred to the general staff.
which, he said, was contrary to the pur-
poses of this country.
Asked what was left to the Secretary.
Mr. Hale replied: "He has been on a trim
to Panama and is goins to the Philippines.
he is an active man not given to laneuor-
GUS ease, but he is compelled to find exer-
else for his activities In other than the old
me: The result" he added, "is to drive
PROFESSIONAL men In the army and navy to
assume powers such as will result in clint
natlng civilians from all authority in those
departments"
he added that there was disposition to
eH.ena the system to the navy, but de-
cared that so long as he remained in the
senate ne would not consent to the change.
Mr.. Proctor and Mr.. Cockren united in
defending the staff system Mr. Proctor
salo mat the staff had no more power than
was given it by the Secretary of War, and
Mr.. CockreH declared that he was 'astound-
cd at the statement of Mr.. Hale" He de-
CARED that the Secretary had now more
power than he ever had before, and called
attention to the conflicts between the Sec
rotary and the military head of the army
under the old system, a disagreeable condi-
tlon That had been done away with. There
was, ne said, plenty for the Secretary to
busy himself with. Secretary Taft he
declared. was not helpless in the hands
OF MS stan, nor was Secretary Root"
Mr.. Proctor suggested the following ad-
ditlon to the amendment:
Inc ohces now designated by the title
nf fI,or
once and by the title assistant adjutant
general shall hereafter be designated by
the titles of military secretary"
Inc amendment was accepted, and the
amendment as amended was agreed to.
The Senate then reverted to the consid-
eration OF the House provision regulating
the pay of retired officers assigned to active
service, and Mr.. Lodge read the following
telegram from Gov. Herrfck Of Ohio:
"Ohio deeply interested in army appro-
priation bill. If 1t is desired to humilate
Gen. Miles, in which we have no sympathy
mere, 1t should not include splendid army
omcers on retired list who are rendering
splendid services to National Guard in diff
ferent states. We are specially favored in
Ohio and deeply interested"
Mr. Cockrell expressed confidence that
there had been no intention to humtliate
Gen. Miles in the provision.
Mr.. Lodge suggested an amendment of
the committees amendment continuing the
operation of the provision to future serv-
ice. Inc amendment as thus modified was
adopted, 1t Is as follows.
retired officers Of the army above the
grade OF major shall, when hereafter as
signed to active duty in connection with
the organized militia In the several states
and territories upon the request of the
governor thereof. receive their full retired
pay, and also communication Of quarters
unless government quarters are available,
ana shall receive no further pay or allow
ances: Provided further, that lieutenant
colonel SO assigned shall receive the full
pay and allowances of major on the
active list"
An amendment appropriating $4,000 for
the extension of the cable from Valdez to
Seward, Alaska, was accepted.
The army bill was then passed, and the
conference report on the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill was
read and agreed to.
Mr.. Willard presented the credentials OF
Elmer j. Burkett as a senator from Me-
braska, and Mr.. Nelson those of Moses Il.
Clapp as senator from Minnesota.
The conference report on the bill trans
ferring the control of forest reservations
from the Interior to the Agricultural De-
partment was presented and agreed to.