Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-26
WOODS TRAVEL PAY
Secretary Taft Explains Details
of the Expense.
COST THE COUNTRY $500
Trip Made to London at the Presi-
dents Request.
INQUIRY MADE BY SENATORS
Hearing by the Committee on Mill
tary Affars-Distributio of Of
dcers at Army Posts.
INQUIRY MADE BY SENATORS

Secretary Taft discussed today with the
Senate committee military affairs the
recommendation of the President regard
ing the distribution of army officers among
the army posts He criticised the present
system, saying that it is deficient in that
it does not afford officers opportunity
for exercising command over large forces.
He attributed the system to the fact that
in the earlier days many posts were de-
sirable on the frontier and said it is diff
cult to discontinue system once estab-
iishod. Yet he said, there is tendency
toward an improvement seen in the es-
tablishment of regimental posts in this
country and of brigade posts iii the Phil
ippines. Forts Riley. Leavenworth, Russell
and Sam Houston in this country can, he
said, be easily transformed into brigade
posts. At all those posts there are large
reservations. while to establish larger posts
in the east would require vast outlays to
secure maneuver grounds One exception
in the eastern states in Fort Oglethorpe. in
connection with which the Chickamauga
battle reservation could be used.
1t is not the purpose to do away with
the small posts, said the Secretary, nor
would it he necessary to do He said
that for S11 600 he could buy 1900 acres
of land near Fort Sam Houston and he
thought this investment preferable to fur
ther improvements at Fort Clarke also
in Texas, and said the money could be
taken from appropriations already made
for military posts.
The Secretary said that he was not ask
ing legislation for the accomplishment of
this change except that he would like to
have the limit for barrack buildings in
creased from $4,000, as now fixed, to $780,,
COO He also thought there should be a
change in the present method OF including
everything in the army. transportation
fund
Does. that fund include travel pay?"
asked Senator Ovarman and the answer
was that it is not confined to that item.
II suggested the other day that there are
some abuses in connection with the travel
pay, said the senator
YES" assented Mr.. Taft
you say there is?', responded the SEN
IT said you suggested such a possibility"
responded the Secretary He added the
opinion, however, that there are abuses In
that connection both IN raVor or ana
against officers.
Gen. Woods Travel Pay.
When Mr.. Overman indicated desire to
have the Secretary discuss Gen. Wood 8
case other senators interviewed asking that
the question be postponed for the time.
Later the Secretary returned to the ques
ton of the payment of Gen. Woods eX-
nenses on the occasion of his visit to the
United States from the Philippines last
summer for the purpose of having a sur
gical operation performed. He said the
first information he had that the general
desired to come to Boston for the opera
ton was received in May in a cablegram
from Gen. Corbn, who said that Wood
was suffering from an injury received
seven years before in the line of duty, and
he asked secretly because he did not want
to alarm Gen. Woods mother. Wood was
granted leave of absence by Corbin and
he went to Hongkong on the Buford. which
was sent there for repairs The injury
making necessary the operation was re-
ceived by striking his head against a chan
delier while he was IN Cuba
No bad effects We're felt until the service
In the PHILIPPINES begun. He was then at
tackled by severe cramps and the surgeons
in the Philippines attributed the difficulty
to pressure the brain. The Philippine
surgeons declined to undertake the opera
ton and issued certificate recommending
his return to the United States for the puf-
pose of having the skull trephned
II met General Wool in Chicago, said
Secretary Taft He explained the cfrcum-
stances and In accordance with the custom
in the army, ordered him to Boston as the
proper place for the performance of the
operation.
The general explained that he had no
means except his salary. and suggested tnat
he be put on duty status, which the Sec
retary told him could be done, his aide.
Captain Dorey. being permitted to accom-
pany him. They had not Travelled on
transport because the crOWQeQ
Of those vessels, and vouchers for mileage
were issued for the transportation of both
the general and his aide from Manila to
Boston via Hongkong. but the mileage
from Manila to Hongkong was reduced
because of the use of the transport.
Woods Trip to London.
The Secretary said that the Boston opera
tion was not entirely satisfactory to the
generals friends in the United States. in
eluding the President; accordingly, the gen.
eral remained here from July Z, when the
operation was performed, until August "a.
when. at the suggestion of the surgeon the
President issued an order directing Cen
eral Wood to return to the Philippines via
London for the purpose of consulting a
specialist there. Accordingly Military Sec
retary Ainsworth issued order directing
Wood to proceed to London on confidential
service which,, the order said had been ex-
planned to the general by the president
Secretary Taft said the allowance came
under the regulation for payments for pub
lie duty. He contended that an officer was
as much on public duty when protecting
his health as at other times.
Senator Overman called attention to the
fact that General Wood first left Manila
'on leave" but the Secretary said that the
regulations fully cover the circumstances.
He. however. did not consider the allow
ance Of mileage from Manila to Hongkong
and from Hongkong to San Francisco as
legal He had been absent at the time the
allowance was made, and upon reviewing
the case he had reversed the former find
ing and directed that the mileage allow
ance be changed 80 as to make 1t an al
lowance for actual travelling expenses. The
entire trip of Wood and his aid around
the world had he said, cost the govern
ment about s., 900.
do you know of any other officer who
has Travelled on a liner and had his ex-
penses paid instead Of using transport? 2"
asked Senator Overman.
The Secretary Amused.
There seemed to be something in this
question that amused the witness. and he
laughed aloud when 1t was followed by an
inquiry as to whether General Corbin had
dane so.
He replied that Corbin had not He ap-
piled for an order. but didn't give it. e