Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-06
Finds lnadequaCy Of Remunera-
ton Sufficient Reason to Ac-
count for Decrease in Army
IN FAVOR OF NAVY SYSTEM.
Under 1t President Authorized To Fix
Rates in Defined Limits as Means
or Obtaining Higher Efficiency.

strong advocate of increased pay for
the army and in his annual report, Just
sent to the Congress, completely dispels
any doubt that may exist as to the dis
position. The report shows rapid de-
crease In the strength OF the regular
army in recent years (the loss last year
being i,42s mem and the pressing need
for officers to replace those now de-
tailed on recruiting duty as military
instructors in educational institutions.
The secretary declares that where
many reasons have been advanced to
explain the difficulty, sufficient reason
is to be found in the inadequacy of
army pay
PAY INADEQUATE
Il think it quite probable" he says,
that an increase in the pay of the en-
listed men, including additional in
ducement for the men to re-enlist and
such reasonable Increase in the pay
of on-commissioned officers as would
stimulate men to remain in the service
10 qualify themselves for these nigh
err positions would have a markedly
OF the army
SO the secretary earnestly favors
the adoption Tor the army of the naval
system, under which the president is
authorized to fix the rates of pay with
III defined limits as means OF obtain
ing a better discipline and higher
efficiency. He also recommends The
creation of "a general service corps to
relieve the soldiers OF the vast amount
of unmilitary work they are now called
upon to perform. In mis- opinion, the
military service should be so attrac-
tive and desirable that ii will not be
difficult to get and hold the class of
men needed Tor the enlisted personnel,
and to make army service life work,
as it used to be, by offering rewards
for proficiency and greater increase of
pay for length of service.
ARMY LOSSES LAST YEAR,
The regular army last year lost 1889
officers and 26,3l0 enlisted men, and
although 1t was a year of peace, II OF
the officers and 3bS of the men We're
killed in action or died of wounds and
disease.
The secyary has decided to create
one of the new regimentsn posts Ba-
guio, in the PHILIPPINES, and asks for an
appropriation for the purpose. He also
urges an enlargemtnt of Mckinley res
ervation, near Manila, by 5000 acres 10
cost S1S5, 900, and the construction of
an electric railroad from Camp over
ton, on the north shore of Mindando to
Camp Keithley on Lake Lanao. i'll the
center of the Moro country. lie com
pares Baguio to the Adirondacks in
atmosphere and climate and says that
nothing could be of greater aid to the
army than post at that point, where
every regiment In the island might be
at Tine nf
duty I'm the islands,
A profound conviction of the import
ance of subject leads the secretary to
earnestly adjure Congress TO give heed
to the pressing needs of the military
department. which it has overlooked
Notwithstanding attention having been
repeatedly been called to it.
HEALTH OF VOLUNTEERS.
The secretary says:
THE failure TO make proper and
adequate provision for caring for the
health and comfort of the volunteer
forces in time of war-and this can
only be done by creating sufficiently
large body of competent surgeons with
military knowledge and training-not
only needlessly prolongs the struggle
and involves the country in expendi-
lures of money far In excess of the act
ual cost of making proper provision In
advance, but, most deplorable of all
brings anxiety and sorrow TO house
holds all over the land and condemns
many promising youths to unnecessary
suffering and possibly to Il premature
grave"
Among the estimates submitted Is an
item of sG,aSS.OO0 for tho construction
of batteries at Manila and Subig bay.
This estimate appears in connection
with others for the insular possessions
and the other comment made upon II
in the report is this;
THE places recommended for forth
fication have all been visited by one or
more members Of the national coast
defense hoard and the suitability for
fertilization sites has been carefully
studied by the board, and expenditures
are being made accordingly"
Accompanying the report are the es-
Inmates for the support OF the military
estimate during the next fiscal year
The game being Sil5lS,3A greater than
last years appropriations. by far the
greater part of the increase (more than
per cent?, Is for coast defense works
of which about S2l. 600 Is required
or the United states and SlS,S00,00O for
the insular possessions
AS TO the plea OF insanity, Mr.. Jerome
explained TO each of the proposed jur-
ors I'm turn that person Il excused
from criminal liability IN this state
only upon proof that he was at the
time OF the deed suffering from such a
defect OF reason as not to know the
nature or quality OF his act, or that
the act was wrong. He also questioned
each talesman closely AZ 10 any opinion
held or any conscientious scruple con-
tanned against capital punishment
FIRST JUROR ACCEPTED.
Charles H. Gremmels. a ship broker,
was called for examination Just before
the close OF the morning session. He
kaid he had certain scruples against
capital punishment, but n sworn as q
Juror he felt he could lay II aside and
vote for a conviction II The evidence
seemed 10 warrant H. Mr. Jerome was
inclined to challenge for cause, but
Justice Bowling ordered the examina-
ton proceed. In other ways Mr. Grem-
mels was acceptable 10 the prosecution
and was turned over 10 Mr., Littloton
OF the defense He was finally accepted
and took his place IN the foreman's
chair. Gremmels was not sworn, how
ever. as n has been decided not TO ad-
minister tho oath until the box Is filled,
All the Jurors thus win be subject TO
peremptory challenge up to the last
minute,
After dremmels' acceptance the
luncheon recess was ordered
In concluding tho report secy, Taft
Aays.
1T seems 20 me tina, tho time has
como 10 recognize IN the same way the
service OF one who was not a soldier.