The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-07
TAFT ADVOCATES
INCREASED PAY
Secretary Is Nice TO the Sol
der Boys
STRENGTH Is DECREASING
Membership In the Regular Army suf-
fered Falling OFF Last Year of
No Less Than 442s
Men.


Men.
Washington. January 6.-Secretary Taft
Is strong advocate of increased pay
for the army and his annual report. lust
sent to Congress, completely dispels anv
doubt that may exist as to the seeretary's
position. The report begins with a for
midables presentment of figures showing
the rapid decrease In the strength of
the regular army in recent years Che
loss last year being no less than 442s
mem, and the pressing need for Officers
to replace those now detailed on recruit
ing duty or as military instructors in
educational institutions The secretary
declares that while reasons have been
advanced to explain the difficulty, a suf-
he1ent one is to be found in the made
quacy of army pay
take 1t as quite probable" he SAYS.
that an increase in the pay of the en-
listed men including considerable addi-
tlona lnducement for men to re-enlist
and such reasonable increase in the nav
of non-commlssioned officers as would
stimulate men to remain in the service
and qualify themselves for these higher
positions would have a markedly benefi-
cial effect upon the recruitment of the
army"
so the secretary earnestly favors the
adoption for the army of the navav svs
TEN, under which the President Is an
thorized to fix the rates of pay within
oeflned limits, as a means of obtaining
better discipline and higher efficiency.
He also recommends the creation of a
general service corps to relieve the SOL
diers of the vast amount of unmilitary
work they are now called upon to per-
form. In his opinion the military serv-
ice should be so attractive and desirable
that 1t will not be difficult to get and
hold the class of men needed for the
enlisted personnel and to make army
service lifework, as 1t used to be. nv
offering rewards for proficiency and
greater increase of pay for length of
service.
Losses for the Year.
The regular army last year lost 1879
officers and 26.S10 enlisted men, and all
Officers and 65S of the men were killed
IN action or died of wounds and disease.
Inc secretary has decided to create one
OF the new regimental. posts at Baguio.
IN the philippines, and asks for an an
preparation for the purpose He also urges
an enlargement of Fort Mckinley reser
walton near Manila by 6Ooo acres at q
cost of S1S5,000 and the construction Of
electric
on the north shore of Mindanao To Caun
heithley on Lake Lanao, in the center
OF the Moro country. He COMPARES Pa
gulo to the Adirondacks atmosphere and
climate and says that nothing could he
OF more benefit to the army than a most
at that point. where every regiment In
the island Nigh. be sent at some time
curing It's term of duty in the islands
A profound conviction of tbe imnor
lance of the subject leads the secretary
TO earnestly adjure Congress to give
need TO the pressing needs of the mill
tary department. which 1t has over
looked, Notwithstanding attention
having been repeatedly called to 1t. TIL g
secretary says:
Inc 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
body of competent surgeons with mill
itary knowledge and training-not only
the needs of prolonged struggle but
Involves the country in expenditures
far in excess OF the actual cost of maxi
Ing proper provision In advance but
most deplorable OF all, brings anxiety
and sorrow to households all over tn q
land and condemns many promising
youths to unnecessary suffering and
possibly to a premature grave"
Estimates Submitted.
Among the estimates submitted is an
item OF s6.4sS 900 for the construc-
tion OF batteries at Manila and Subig
bay. This estimate appears in connec-
ton with others for the insular pos
sessions and the only comment made
upon 1t in the report is this:
THE places recommended for forti-
fication 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 expendi-,
lures are being made accordingly"
Accompanying the report are the es-
Inmates for the support of the mill
tary establishment during the next
fiscal year. the same being s11,5s7s 3I
greater than last years appropriation.
In concluding the report, Secretary
Taft says: 1T seems to me that the
time mas come to recognize In the same
way the service OF one who was not
a soldier. but who as Secretary of War
rendered heroic service in the preser-
walton of the Union. and whose strong
personality and Intellectual force made
him one OF the great historical figures
in a national crisis. Edward M. Stan
ton labored for the maintenance and
perpetuity OF this government with I'M
faltering courage and with a visor that
knew no abatement. l recommend that
Congress make adequate provision for
the erection of a statue to Secretary
Stanton in the city OF Washington.
..-t..ra hIs rreaf worlI was done and