The sun., 1907-12-31
DTSCONTENT IN THE ARMY.
Some Ground for IL. Although Nest Of the
GsrOwIers Make Poor soldiers.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: There
has been much written of late concerning
the army that probably our civilian friends
are already convinced that only an unlimited
amount of Congressional tinkering will make
the army what they expect il to be.
10 is true that there is something wrong
deep down in the army and each and every
officer knows 10. The worse element among
the enlisted men are talking and writing,
some TO THE Sun and others to Congress-
but an analysis Of their criticisms will not
warrant much Of a reform in the way they
point out. To learn how things are in the
army II would be better to ascertain the real
thoughts of some of the few old soldiers and
not to apply to the class that alone must bear
a large share OF responsibility for the unrest
now prevalent, This class of young macOn-
tents, anarchists II you will. must be weeded
out OF the army for its own good. Such men
have caused trouble in the cOlOred regiments,
such men hll our guard houses and wreck
many young mans life by making him be-
lieve that his superiOrs in rank have 1t in for
him at all times. They harp about caste and
about the ignomlny OF saluting officers,
although an officer il much compelled 70 re-
turn their salute as they are tdealute him.
On the other hand the average company
commander can no longer be responsible for
the cOntentment Of his organization because
he il 50 much hampered by restrictions inn
posed by all his superiOrs. but principally by
the Department at Washington. He is often
made to do unjust. unfair and impOltic
things. Indeed. the best officers are ready
to lind more congeuial duty. IL is noticeable
that the conditions complained of have grown
worse since the establishment Of the General
stan. or. 20 put it another way. since efforts
have been made TO adopt everything foreign
as our model
The result il marked in increased deser-
ttOns and decreased reenlstmeDts. | will
frankly say that one reenlistment of an excel
lent soldier is worth hve enllstments Of the
present class OF recruits.
without any increase Of pay there has been
an increase Of as much work again. OF irksOme
establishment "A strike would result
\ reliable, experienced corps Of non-cOm-
mlssiOned Officers is most needed. a body OF
men capable Of fairness and honesty both TO
the officer and the men TO obtain such a
body a marked increase OF pay II required
and after that q separation Of these non
they can do their duty impartially.
To supply this class the pay Of the private
must be increased in order to attract better
men. The men who delight in failure to
carry themselves as soldiers. who loaf about
the streets in unmilitary dress and who take
every, opportunity to inject a. story Of their
hard lot upon the public. needless to say, will
not furnish one man capable Of handling other
men with fairness. There is a surplus of such
men in the army to-day
Old soldiers have told me that no greater
source OF discomfort exists to-day than the
lack Of a canteen. the soldiers club. just
should get his beer in a dive. surrounded by
the most demOralizing influences. rather than
IN club where moderation IL practised and
simple nut suinclent amusemchts are pro-
The work OF a soldier should be military.
and IA such strictly necessary. II job OF
cleaning up buildings or yards IL KiIPn him.
or, as often happens, his labor ~ needed to
com plete some work which n bureau in WASH
lngton viii not make an adequate allowance
for, the soldier should be paid for the extra
labor. OBSERVER.
FoET LEAvENwoRTH. Kan. December ~.