The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
WOODS WAS SENT AROUND THE WORLD Taft Explains Why This Action
 Was Taken WAS PUT ON DUTY STATUS Came to the United States to Have an Operation Performed Necessltated By Striking Head Against a
 Chandelier in Cuba.
WAS PUT ON DUTY STATUS

Washington, March 36.-Secretary Taft discussed today with the senate com mittee on military affairs the recommen- datlon of the Pres lent regarding 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 an opportunity for exercising command over the large forces. He attributed the system to the fact that in the earlier days many posts were desirable on the frontier, and said it Is difficult to discontinue a system once established. Yet he said there Is a tendency toward an improvement as seen in the establishment of regiemntal posts in this country, and of brigade posts in the Philippines. Forts Riley, Leaven- worth, Russell and Sam Houston in this country can, he said be easily trans- formed Into brigade posts.
 It 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 $l10OoO he could buy 17,OOO acres of land near Fort Sam Hous- ton. and he thought this investment
 
 Fort Clarke, also in Texas, and said the money could be taken from approprla- tions already made for military posts.
 Explains Payment to Wood.
 Later the secretary returned to the question of the payment of General Woods expenses on the occasion of his visit to the United States from the Phil ippines last summer for the purpose of having a surgical operation performed, Wood was granted leave of absence by General Corbin, and he went to Hong Kong on the Buford which was sent there for repairs The Injury making necessary the operation was received by striking his head against a chandelier while he was in Cuba. No bad effects were felt until the service in the Phil ippines began. He was then attacked by severe cramps. The Philippine surgeons declined to undertake the operation, and Issued a certificate for his return to the United States 1t the purpose of having the skull fep if}e
 CT met General Wood h Chicago. He explained the circumstances, and in ac- eordance with the custom in the army l ordered him to Boston as the proper place for the performance of the operation"
 Put on Duty Status.
 The general explained that he had no means except his salary and suggested that he be put on duty status, which the secretary told him could be done. They had not travelled on transport, because of the crowded condition of those vessels, and vouchers for mileage were issued for the transportation of both the general and his aide from Manila to Boston, via Hong Kong. but the mileage from Manila to Hong Kong was reduced because of the use of the transport
 The secretary said that the Boston op- eration was not entirely satisfactory to the generals friends in the United States. including the President. Accordingly the general remained here from July !. when the operation was performed. until Au- gust 2i, when at the suggestion of the surgeon the President issued an order di- recting General Wood to return to the Philippines via London, for the purpose of consulting a specialist there. Accord ingly Military Secretary Ainsworth is- sued an order directing General Wood to proceed to London 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 payments for public duty. He contended that an officer was as much on public duty when protecting his health as at other times.