Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-07
TAFT URGES
(. BETTER RA Y
FOR ARMY
MILITARY FORCE is RAPIDLY
DECREASING
Secretary of War says Service Should
BE Made So Attractive That
More Men Will
Enlist
BY Associated Frsss.

BY Associated Prtss.
WASH .NGTON. Jan. 6,-Secretary Tar
is a strong advocate of increased pay foi
the army. His annual report shows rapid
decrease IL the strength OF the regular
army in recent years (the loss last yeai
being 442s men) and the pressing need toI
officers to replace those now detailed Oh
recruiting duties or military instructors
in educational institutions.
The secretary declares that many rea'
sons have heen advanced to explain tins
difficulty. A sufficient reason is to be
found in the inadequacy of the army pay
II think 1t probable" he said, that ali
increase in the pay of the enlisted men
including considerable inducement for the
men to re-enist and such reasonable IN
crease in tho pay of non-commissioneo
officers as would stimulate men to remain
In the service to qualify themselves fol
these higher positions would have q
markedly beneficial effect upon the re-
cruitment of the army"
Also the secretary earnestly favors thf
adoption for the army OF the naval sys'
tenn by which the president is authorized
to fix the rates of pay within defined
limits, as a means obtaining better dis
eipline and a higher efficiency.
Should Be Made Attractive
He also recommends the appointment
of a general service corps TO relieve the
soldiers Of the vast amount of unnilitary
work they are now called upon to per-
form. In his opinion the military service
should be so attractive and desirable that
it will not be difficult to get and hold the
class of men needed for the enlisted per
sonnet, and TO make army service life
work, as it used to be, by offering re-
wards for proficiency and greater increase
of pay for length of service.
The regular army last year lost lSs
officers and 26.310 enlisted men. and al
though It was year of peace fourteen
of the officers and 1853 of the men were
killed in action or died of wounds and
disease.
The secretary has decided to create one
OF the new regimental posts at Baguio
In the Philippines, and asks for an APP
preparation for the purpose. He also
urges an enlargement of Mckinley feser-
walton, near Manila, by 600O acres, to
cost S1S5,000. and the construction OF en-
electric railroad from Camp Overton' on
the north shore of Mindanao, to Camp
Keithely. on Lake Lanao, in the center Of
Morocco. He compares Baguio to the
Adirondacks in atmosphere and climate
and says that nothing could be OF greater
aid to the army than a post at thai
point, where every regiment in the island
might be sent at some time during Its
tour Of duty in the islands.
A profound conviction of the Importance
of the subject leads the secretary to
earnestly adjure congress to give heed
to the pressing needs of the military de-
partment which 1t has overlooked. not
withstanding attention having been re-
peatedly called to II.
Care for Their Health
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 a suffi-
GENTLY large body of competent surgeons
with military knowledge and training,
not only needlessly prolongs the struggls
and involves the country in expenditures
of money far in excess Of the actual cost
of making proper provision In advance.
but most deplorable of all brings anxiety
and sorrow to households all over the land
and condemns many promising youths TO
unnecessary suffering and possibly to a
premature grave"
Among the estimates submitted Is an
item of s6,4SS000 for the construction of
batteries at Manila and Subig bay. This
estimate appears In connection with
others for the insular possessions. and
other comment made upon 1t in the re-
port is this: 1.-THE places recommended
for fertilization have all been visited by
one or more members of the national
coast defense board and the suitability
for fertilization sites has been carefully
studied by the board. and expenditures
are being made accordingly.
Gives Estimates
Accompanying the report are the esu
mates for the support of the military esti-
mate during the next fiscal year. the
same being sl1.51s.S1 greater than last
years appropriations. By greater the
part of the increase (more than 8 per
cent? is for coast defense works. OF which
about '$21. 100000 is required for the United
States and $1S.SOO,00O for the insular pos
sessions.
In concluding the report Secretary Taft
says:
ut seems to me that the time has come
to recognize in some way the service
of one who was not a soldier but who. as
secretary of war. rendered heroic service
In the preservation of the Union and
whose strong personality and intellectual
force made him one Of the great historical
figures In a national crisis. Edward M.
Stanton labored for the maintenance and
perpetuity of this government with un-
faltering courage and with a vigor that
knew no abatement. / recommend that
congress make adequate provision for the
erection of a statue to the memory Of
Secretary Stanton in this city Of Wash
ington. where his great work was done
and where his body is buried
= A bill reducing the regular army after
December l. 1903. to 5000 men. 10000 OF
whom shall constitute an artillery force
for coast defense. was introduced today
by Representative Williams. The stand
ing army as now composed embraces no..
COO odd officers and men. Mr.. Williams
also offered a bill repeating all laws by
which national bank examiners are COM
pensated by fees and placing them or
salary of $4,000 per annum.
GOVERNMENT DEFRAUDED