New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-30
FOR AN ARMY RESERVE.
I'm portant Bills Sent to Congress by
SecretarY Taft.

washington. Jan. 2a-secre- airy Taft to-day sent
20 Congress drafts OF several important bills de-
signed 70 Increase the efficiency OF the ar s. The
bills were introduced by Fepresentatila HUI
chairman of the House Committee ou Military At
fairs.
one OF these measures provides for a separation
o. the field from the artillery retaining the
corps organization for the latter. The coast ar
tinery is increased by officers and men necessary
for the torpedo defenCes OF the harbors, and
tempt is made by increase of pay TO remedy the
present impossiblity Of retaining highly trained
men The bill provides for greater hexibility In the
companies OF coast artillery. Tn. field artillery IS
increased by six batteries. and rertmentaI organl-
cation is given 10 #. The total increase in both
aims provided for is 1900 men, and the estimated
cost for the first year is 100000 In addition
there will be en- estimated expense Of 90 for
barracks. gun sheds, etc, to cover period OF five
years.
Another bill is designed TO provide a partial re-
serve for coast defence in case Of actual or i'm
pending The bill provides for force OF not
to exceed Neo men, who will have served not less
than one complete enlistment in the regular army.
They TO be enlisted for fve-year terms, and
70 be carried OF the rolls Of the military secretarys
office be allowed 20 live where they please in
the United States but be subject 20 call by the
President for ten days OF each year for instruc-
tion. and the outbreak OF a foreign TO be
called into active service Secretary Taft explains
that the bill provides means Of enabling the Presi
dent TO comply with the act OF February 3 1901,
emergency. The total cost is estimated at about
100000 year. The Secretary says
The necessity for a reserve of trained men was
shown al the outbreak Of the Spanish war, when
the regular army who had mad previous training
which necessitated regiments going into battle al
simply to have available a trained '-rre 10 bring
tho regular army TO the strength authorized
by law which would practically double its eff
cheney and the annual increased expenditure for
the present cost OF the permanent military estab-
lishmeut.
Another bill provides for increasing the efficiency
OF army bands. both in number Of members and
the scale of pay The Secretary says TIE present
scale Of the playing members Of the military band
runs from Sl3 go d month. which is utterly
inadequate TO secure and keep competent musi-
clans
The Secretary strongly urges the passage Of
bill increasing the pay of non-commissioned officers
IN accordance with the principles followed in the
armies Of an other great powers.
one bill provides for a system OF retirement by
selection with a view TO promote advancement
The bill provides that should the average number
Of vacancies IN each grade from all causes from
colonel down 10 first lieutenant be Tess than GER
tain per cent OF total number OF officers in the
grade next below, additional vacancies 10 bring the
total TO the required number shall be provided
cording to the Secretary "by wedding out the least
efficient officers" The Secretary adds:
It seeks 70 provide remedy for s2nd!sioq &c. q
but certain 70 become inIoieraP2e unless a
stagnation in proIlotiou. combined with the
avoida BILE failure in CtlCt OF retiring and
aiming boards 10 remedy the evil
other bills. the passage OF which the Secretary
advocates provide for the organization Of service
CORPS Of. 700 men attached 20 the Subsistence
Department Of the army for the performance
OF work heretofore performed by soldiers; for the
reorganization the veterinary corps OF the army;
20 extend the special leave privileges 10 certain
instructors and student officers service schools.
authorize commissions 10 issue in the case OF Off
GERS retired with Increased rank; 20 provide the
uou-commissioned officers necessary for duty a
various recruiting stations and to provide for pro
motions TO ON vacancies by detail OF officers below
the grade OF briEudier general 10 the General Stah
and tuc detail, Cf officers TO the Military ACad-
.nv uu recruiting service etc.