The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-01-11
HIGH PAY
FOR SOLDIERS
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ~
SECRETARY TAFT IN his
ANNUAL REPORT.
ARMY RUNNING DOWN
WOULD RELIEVE TIE SOLDIERS
FROM ALL UNMillTART
WORK.

Washineton-Secr Taft IL .
strong advocate of increased pay for
the army and his annual report, just
sent to the Congress. completely dis
pels any doubt that may exist as TO
the secretarys position. The report
shows rapid decrease in the strength
of the regular army in recent years
(the loss last year being %,42S mem
and the pressing need for of1cers 10
replace those now detailed on recruit
ing duty as military instructors in ed
ucational institutions.
The secretary OF war declares that
while many reasons have been ad-
vanced to explain the difficulty, a sur
ficient one is to be found in the in
adequacy OF army pay.
Il think II quite probable the sec
retary says, that an increase in the
pay Of the enlisted men, including con-
siderable additional inducement for
the men to re-enlist and such reason
able increase in the pay OF non COM
| missioned officers as would stimulate
men to remain in the service and to
qualify themselves for the higher po-
sitions, would have markedly benen-
cial effect upon the recruitment of the
army"
So the secretary earnestly favors
the adoption for the army OF the naval
system, under which the President is
authorized to fix the rates OF pay
within defined limits as means of OBJ
tanning a better discipline and a higher
efficiency.
He also recommends the creation
Of general service corps to relieve
the soldiers OF the vast amount OF
unmilitary work they are now called
upon to perform. In his opinion, the
military service should be so attrac-
tive and desirable that it will not be
difficult to get and hold the class Of
men needed for the enlisted person
mel and to make army service life
work. as it used 10 be. by offering re-
wards for proficiency and greater in
, crease of pay for length OF service.
The regular army last year lost 139
officers and 2C,3l0 enlisted men, and,
although 1t was a year of peace, four
teen 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 appropriation for the purpose.
He also urges an enlargement OF Fort
Mckinley reservation, near Manila, by
5000 acres, to cost $1S5 900, and the
construction Of an electric railroad
from Camp Overton, on the north
shore Of Mindanao. to Camp keithley,
on Lake Lanao, in the center of the
Moro country. 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 that point. where every regi-
ment in the island might be sent at
some time during its tour of duty in
the islands.
A profound conviction of the i'm
portance OF the subject leads the sec
retary to earnestly adjure Congress
to give heed to the pressing needs of
the military department, which it has
overlooked, notwithstanding attention
having been repeatedly called to
it. The secretary says:
"The failure to make proper and ade-
quate 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
actual cost of making proper provision
in advance, but, most deplorable of
all, brings anxiety and sorrow to
households all over the land and con
demns many promising youths to un-
necessary suffering and possibly to a
premature grave"
Among the estimates submitted is
an item Of $C,4SS,00O for the construc-
ton OF batteries at Manila and Subig
Bay. This estimate appears in connec-
tion with others for the insular pos
sessions and the other comment made
upon. 1t in the report Is this:
1.-The places recommended for fort-
fication have all been visited by one
or more members of the national coast
defense board and the suitability for
fortification sites has been carefully
studied by the board, and expenditures
are being made accordingly"
Accompanying the report are the
estimates for the support Of the mill
tary estimate during the next fiscal
year. The same being $11,51S,341
greater than last years appropria-
tions. BY far the greater part of the
increase (more than ninety per cent?
is for coast defense works, of which
about 21,700,000 Is required for the
United States and $1S,S0O,0OO for the
insular possessions.
Addi,ivuai circulation Bill.
Washington.-The financial bill
which has for some time been in prep
aration by leading Republican mem
bers OF the Senate committee on fl
nance. has been printed and given to