Evening journal., 1908-12-10
WRIGHT WANTS
MORE OFFICERS
Secretary Says Nation Would
Need 35O,OOO Men in
Case Of War
ASKS MORE MONEY
FOR STATE MILITIA

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1O.--Luke e.
Wright, secretary of war today sub
mitted his annual report to Congress.
The total estimates of the War Dc
partment for the next fiscal year, as
shown by the report amount TO S1S9
755,0S9. an increase of about $4,000 900
over the appropriations for the present
fiscal year. This increase is largely
for river and harbor work. and other
public works of a civil character, for
which purpose about $4,000, 900 is ask
ed. OF the balance. about $10.500, 900
is an additional estimate for the sup
port of. the army. Military Academy
and the militia. For military public
works, such as fortifcations. arsenals
military posts. etc. the estimates call
for an increase of S17,s00,000.
Secretary Wright especially recon-
mends an addition of 612 officers to the
army. and also approves a policy for
the elimination from the service of all.
officers who fail TO maintain the re-
quisite standard Of efficiency. Both Of
these propositions were before Con-
gress at its last session and will be
strongly urged this year.
The necessity for moro officers, the
report states. is due TO the unavoidable
detachment Of officers from their regu-
lar service with troops. Their detach-
ment for recruiting duty. for duty as
instructors in the army and at State
institutions. as well as with the militia
of the several States and Territories,
has occupied the time Of a large num-
Der Of officers. At present there are
rf7 -
additional absent on leave or on ac,
count of sickness. Besides this, exam
nations, court-martial service. and
numerous other kinds Of special duty,
though temporary in character. make
a considerable increase in the number
Of officers that are constantly unavail-
able for regular service with their
commands. He adds that it would be
a measure of wise economy to provide
an extra number Of highly equipped
officers for these added duties thst have
been thrown upon the army as the re-
suit would be highly beneficial in case
of war.
To provide for the 612 additional off,
GERS the Secretary states there will
be added an annual cost Of between
S2000000 and 100000.
The report shows that the army is
now only 1921 enlisted men short Of
the authorized strength, due to great
i'-'-'''"'-eroent in recruiting. During the
past year there has been an increase
in the actual strength Of the army of
19.16S, making the present strength
Ais officers and GS,512 enlisted men.
a total Of 72,62S. OF this number 53.-
l02 are serving in the United states.
12.10l in the Philippines, A9O5 in Cuba.
l.102 i'm Alaska. GIL in Porto Rico. 256
in Hawaii. with sol troops en- route
and officers at other foreign stations.
Congress is asked for a considerable
in the appropriations for in
vestment in permanent military plants.
such as gun and mortar batteries. fire
control at fortifcations, electrical in
stallations at seacoast fortincations
se"~"hights for harbor defenses, and
other accessories Of coast defense. pre-
servation and repair OF fortifcations.
repair and protection of defenses at
Pensacola. Fla. and New Orleans, La.
defenses OF Galveston. Tex. armament
for fortifcations, fortihcations in insu-
lar possessions, and additional land for
military posts. These various items in
connection with permanent military
plants call for increased appropriations
OF S1S,s6S927 OF which amount about
so per cent is asked for coast defense
works, for which about s9,5OO.0 900 is re-
quired for the United States and s5.-
400 600 for the insular possessions.
The secretary states that the result
of careful study in the War Denart-
ment shows that in the event OF war
with any first-class power we would
need 80 least $4,000 men for a first
line Of defense, and that as the Regu-
lar Army is limited to 100000 men. it
would be necessary to draw $500
men from the organized militia. He
suggests that ii might be ..-on eo, the
General Government to stimulate this
ree''' bv increasing the annual appro-
nriations for tho equipment OF the mil
itia and for general maneuvers OF the
militia with the Regular Army.