The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-27
THE SYSTEM WRONG
SECRETARY TAFT CRITICISES DIS-
 TREBUT10N OF OFFICERS.
Declares that Commanders are Not 6.iVep eviHeieat Opportunities to Re fn C0mmand of Large
 Bodies of Men.

Washihgton March 36.-Secretary Taft discussed today with the Senate Committee on Military Affairs the rec ommendation of the President regard ing the distribution of army officers among the army posts. He criticised the present system, saying that 1t IS deficient in that 1t does not afford or ficers an opportunity for exercising command over large forces. He at tributed the system to me fact that in the earlier days many posts were desir- abl con the frontier and said 1t is diff ficult to discontinue a system once es- tabIished.
 Yet, he said. there Is tendency to- ward an improvement as seen in the establishment of regImental posts in this country and of brigade posts fil the Philippines. Forts Riley, Leaven- worth. Russell and Sam Houston in this country can, he said be easily transformed into brigade posts.
 1t Is not the purpose to do away with the small posts. said the Secretary nor would 1t be necessary to do so.
 He said that for $110.00O he could buy r ,O0O acres of land near Fort sam Houston and he thought this invest ment preferable to further improve ments at Fort Clarke. also in Texas and said the money could be taken from appropriations already made for military posts Later the secretary re- turned to the question of the payment of General Woods expenses on the occasion of his visit to the United States from the Philippines last sum mer for the purpose of having a sur gical operation performed. Wood was granted leave of absence by General Corbin and he went to Hongkong on the Buford, which was sent there for repairs. His injury making necessary the operation. was received by striking his head against a chandelier while he was in Cuba. Nc bad effects were felt until the service in the Philippines be- gan He was then attacked by severe cramps. The Philippine surgeons de- clined to undertake the operation and issued a certificate recommending his return to the United States Tor the purpose of having the skull trepanned
 q met General Wood in Chicago. He explained the circumstances. and in accordance with the custom in the army I ordered him to Boston as the proper place for the performance or the operation. !"
 The General explained that lie haa no means except his salary and sug- gested that he be put on duty status which the Secretary told him could be done. IntY Udu llpN tAS'F W. transport because of the crowded con dition of those vessels and vouchers for mileage were issued for the transpor- tation of both the General and his aide from Manila to Boston, via Hnngkong, but the mileage from Manila to Hong kong was reduced because or the use of the transport.
 Tine secretary said that the Boston oneration was not entirely satisfactory to the generals friends in the United States, including the presidint; accord ingly the general remained here from July '. when the operation was perform ed until August 24 when. at the sug- eestfon of the surgeon the president issued an order directing Gen. Wood to return to the Philippines via London for the purpose of consulting a special ist there. Accordingly, Military Sec retary Ainsworth issued an order di- recting Gen. Wood to proceed to Lon- don on confidential service which, the order said. had been explained to the | general by the president.
 Secretary Taft said the allowance came under the regulation for pay ments for public duty. He contcnded that an officer was as much on public duty when protecting his health as at other times.