Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-20
FIGHT OVER THE ARMY.
President and Secretary Taft Would
 Reduce the Number of Posts.


 Washington. D. C.. July 20.-A spirited fight in congress is practically certain to result from the determina- tion of President Roosevelt and Sec retary Taft to house the American army in seven or eight posts. Inter- est has been aroused throughout the country in the sudden decision of tht president and his secretary of war to establish four of the brigade posts immediately.
 Since his first visit to the president at Oyster Bay, Secretary Taft has re- ceived an inquiry from nearly every member of congress who has mili- tary post in his district. Efforts have been made to allay the excited inter- est over the policy of the administra- tion to establish few E great army posts. but members of congress are insisting on knowing just what the policy means. Congressmen point to the fact that the last army appropria- ton law does not contain authoriza- tion for the choosing of posts to be brigade quarters. The subject of cen tralizing the army was discussed in the committee, but no legislation was proposed and no decision was reach ed. The army bill authorized the sec retary of war to purchase -310 acres of land adjoining the military reser- vation at Fort Sam Houston and to acquire not less than 1I,0O0 acres of land near San Antonio to be used as manoeuvering ground for Fort Sam Houston. As to the designation of other posts as brigade quarters the secretary was within his rights, as no expenditure of money is required.
 An interesting contest is yet to come and congress probably will be in the midst of things when the time ar- rives. because it will have to provide the money for the purchase of the necessary land around the posts se- lected for the brigade quarters. If the policy of the administration is car ried out the east will get one of the remaining large posts. the central west one. and the Pacific coast one Years will be required to carry out fully the policy of concentrating the army. with the exception of that part used 10 man coast defences. in seven or eight large posts.
 The records of the war department show that the United Statts now owns 16S army posts. all but thirty of them being garrisoned today. This enOr- nous number of posts is tho result of a policy. followed since the Decla- ration of Independence was adopted. of establishing post whenever one was needed for local defense. Quite 140 of the posts were established as a result of the governments warfare against the Indians. It a result of the system, the regular army at no time large. has been scattered to the four winds. The president believes the time has arrived to overhaul this system. By concentrating the army in a few large posts. regiments may be held intact. with excellent tactical results from what may he terme,l team work. The presidents idea is that the army. if 1t is to he effective In time of war. must be doing things of peace. It was this notion which led to the establishment of seven summer concentration camps this year. Unless the plans of the president and Secretary Taft are inferferreI with by congress. it will be possible in a short time. to have brigade man. oeuvers throughout the year with much consequent benefit tO the army.
 of course. the plan contemplates the ultimate abandonment of many small posts. unless they should be needed for defensive purposes. and just 1t this point congress may be expected tO object. Those conreSsmeD who have posts in their districts will be opposed to their abandonment. for these posts are desirable institutions in the several localities However. if iS expected that the expense of main taining the seven or eight large pGst< will be go much less than the main tenanee of about 140 zarrisOnai small posts that IL will appeal strongly to congress. The present outlay for transportation Of troops sn1 for ex- V-enssS If po-t-qulrfermasters is enOr- nous This. under ihe proposed con cenfrsti9n plan will be curtaiIe1 very materially.