Omaha daily bee., 1908-01-07
TAFT FOR BETTER ARMY PAY
Secretary Of War Makes This Recon-
mendstion to Congress.
DECREASE IN RANKS
Omceru and EnIisted Men Both
Needed-Thinks President ShOuld
Ffx Rates Of Com-
Peasafion.

WASHINGTON. gan- G-Eecretsry TAFT
Is q strong advocate Of increased pay for
the army and his annual report Just sent
10 congress. completely dispells any doubt
that may exist as 10 the secretary's posi-
tion. TIE report shows rapid decrease in
the strength Of the regular army in recent
years Cthe loss last year being AS mem
and the pressing need for officers 10 re-
place those row detailed on recruiting duty
OF as military instructors in educational
institutions. TIE secretary declares that
while many reasons have been advanced
10 explain the difficulty, a sufficient one is
TO be found in the insdequscy Of army
nay.
I think II quite probable" he says. that
an increase in the pay Of the enlisted man
including considerable additional induce
ment for the men to re-enlist and such
reasonable increase IN the pay OF non
commissioned officers as would stimulate
men tc remain in the service and TO qualify
themselves for these higher positions.
would have markedly beneficial effect
upon the recruiting OF the army"
Naval system Favored.
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 q means Of obtaining a better discipline
and higher efficiency. He also recon-
mends the creation Of a general service
corps to relieve the soldiers OF the vast
amount Of unmiitary work they are now
called upon to perform In his opinion. the
military service should be SO attractive
and desirable that it viii not be difficult
to get and hold the class Of men needed
for the enlisted personnel sNd TO make
army service iife work. as il used to be,
by offering rewards for proficiency and
greater increase OF pay for length Of
service.
The secretary has decided to create one
Of the new regimental posts at Baguio in
the Philippines
The secretary also urges an enlargement
Of Fort Mckinley reservation. near Manila.
by 5000 acres 10 cost SlSS 1oO and the con-
struction Of an electric railroad from Camp
Overton. on the north shore Of Mindanao,
70 Camp Keithley. on Lake Lsnao. in the
center Of the Moro country. He compares
Baguio to the Adirondscks in atmosphere
and climate and says that nothing could be
Of greater aid TO the army than a post at
that point, where every regiment in the
island might be sent at some time during
its tour Of duty in the islands
Military Department in Need.
A profound conviction Of the Importance
of the subject leads the secretary TO ear.
nestly sdJure congress to give heed to the
pressing needs Of the military department
which il has overlooked notwithstanding
attention having been repeatedly causd
( to it. -
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
wsr-snd this can only be done by creating
/ z sufficiently large body Of competent sur
/ Eeons with military knowledge and train
/ ing-not only needlessly prolonEs the strug.
4 gle and involves the country in expenditures
/ Of money far in excess OF the actual cost
Z Of making proper provision in advance,
4 but, most deplorable OF all, brings anxiety
1 and sorrow to households all over the land
Z and condemns many promising youths 70
unnecessary suffering and possibly 70
H premature grave
Among the estimates submitted is an
item of Sc $500 for the construction Of
i batteries at Manila and subig Bay. The
/ only comment made upon this item in the
/ report is this: The places recommended
/ for fertilization have all been visited by
! one or more members OF The national
I coast defense board and the suitability for
fertilization sites has been carefully studied
Z 10y the board. and expenditures are being
made accordingly.
Estimates Largely Increased.
I Accompanying The report are the esti-
mates for the support Of the military de-
! partmsnt during the next fiscal year. the
same being sll.5lESa greater than last
( years appropriations More than 80 per
! cent is for coast defense works. % which
about 81, 100000 is rec uired for the United
States and SIS SaO.O1o for the insulsr posses
sions. In concluding The report. Secretary
/ Taft says
! It seems TO me that the time has ror,s
] TO recognize IN the same WsF the service
| Of one who was not soldier but who as
J secretary Of war. rendered heroic service
/ ia The preservation o. the union and " hose
| strong personality and intellectual force
ma de linn one Of the greatest historical
figures in national crisis. Edward M
/ Stanton labored for The maintenance and
1 perpetuiIy Of this government with UD-
fslternE courage and with q vigor that
I knew no abatement I recommend thai
3 congress make adequate provision for the
erection of q statue 10 Secretary Stanton
I IN this city Of Washington, where MS great
work was done and where ms remains are
I buried.