Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-30
PROPOSES TO INCREASE
EFFICIENCY OF ARMY
TAFT SENDS DRAFTS OF BILLS
TO CONGRESS
Purpose Is to Have Available a
Force Which Would Double the
Strength of the Troops at Very
Slight Cost
BY Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29-Secretary
Taft today sent to congress drafts of
several important bills designed to in
crease the efficiency of the army. Ac-
companying each bill was a letter of
transmittal explaining it. The bills
were introduced today by Representa-
tive Hull, chairman of the house COM
mittee on military affairs.
One of these measures provides for
a separation of the field from the coast
artillery, retaining the corps organiza-
ton for the latter. The coast artillery
is increased by officers and men neces-
sary for the torpedo defenses of the
harbors and an attempt was made by
an increase of pay to remedy the pres
ent impossibility of retaining highly
trained men. The bill provides for
greater fleXibility in the companies of
coast artillery. The field artillery is
increased by six batteries and is given
regimental organization. The total in
crease in both arms provides for 5000
men and the estimated cost for the first
year is $2,000,000. In addition there will
be an estimated expense of $5,500, 900
for barracks, gun sheds, ETC.. to cover
period of five years.
Another bill is designed to provide
a partial reserve for coast defense in
case of actual or impending war. The
bill provides for a force of not to eX-
ceed $4,000 men who will have served
not less than one complete enlistment
In the regular army. They are to be
enlisted for five-year terms and to be
carried on the rolls of the military
secretary's office; to be allowed to live
where they please in the United States,
but to be subject to call by the presi-
dent for ten days each year for instruc-
ton, and on the outbreak of a foreign
war to be called into active service.
Secretary Taft explains that the bill
provides means to enable the president
to comply with the act of February 2.
1901, to increase the army to 100000
men In case of an emergency. The
total cost is estimated at about $2,-
900, 900 year.
The secretary says:
1.-The necessity for reserve of
trained men was shown at the out
break of the Spanish war, when 1t was
found to be impossible to secure men
for the regular army who had previous
training, which necessitated regiments
going into battle at their peace
strength.
THE purpose of the bill is simply
to have available a force sufficient to
bring the regular army to the strength
required by law, which would prac-
tically double its efficiency and the in
crease IN cost Tor tnlS lncredse Woulu
only be an increase of about 3 per
cent of the present cost"
Another bill provides for increasing
the efficiency of army bands, both in
the number of members and the scale
of pay
The secretary strongly urges the
passage of bill increasing the pay of
nom -commssioned officers.
One bill provides for a system of re-
tirement by selection with view to
promote Advancement.
Another bill, the passage of which
the secretary advocates, provides for
the organization of a service corps of
1000 men attached to the supply depart
ment of the army for the performance
of work heretofore performed by SOL
diers.