New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-21
JEALOUS OF MILITIA
ITS GROWING POWER.
Regular Army Officers Would
Curb Its Influence.

Washington. Dec. D.-Animated discus
sions are being conducted by army officers
in Washington concerning the visible IN
crease In what II described as militia in
7uence. A conservative element among
regular officers has for some time been
alarmed at the success which has attended
those projects before Congress in which
the militia IL interested
The recognition OF the fact that the miii-
ia. distributed as II Is throughout tie coun-
try. includes in its membership men OF prom
inencs and influence In the business world
some time ago led some army officers 70
enlist the aid OF the National Guard Asso-
citation IN behalf OF certain plans which
would be OF benefit 20 the regular sstab-
lishment. They believed that advantages
could be thus gained for the bill which
purposes to increase the commissioned
personnel OF the army By six hundred
officers. on the ground that some OF thu
officers on detached duty were employed
as instructors and inspectors OF the or
gained militia. In other respects II wAs
hoped 20 employ militia influence
Other officers oppose this proposition on
the ground that n the militia were used
in this direction Il would place the War
Department and the regular establishment
under an obligation which could not bs
before the militia would be running" tns
army.
These apprehsnsive officers are now
pointing 70 two examples OF what they
regard as a positive menace One Is q
bill introduced BY Representative Wiley.
OF New Jersey. a member OF the militia
Committee OF the House whose neasurs
provides for a militia division in the War
Department. the head OF which shall be q,
hrigadier general. with a colonel OF tho
line as an assistant chief the latter 20 Be
detailed 10 the duty as are those assigned
to duty with the stan.
It is also provided that Governors oc
states NAV call on the war Departments
for "oue OF more army officers. who shall
serve as inspectors and instructors with
militia organizations. with the further pro-
vision that the "vancancies" caused BY
this sort OF detached duty shall Be re-
earded az the occasion OF an increase IN
the commissioned personnel 20 that ex-
tent u will be seen that this IS an un-
restricted provision. as there IS 10 liInis
upon the number OF officers any Goveraor
may call upon for this service
Another thing which has attracted at
tention Is the success which has attended
the manoPuvrs item. amounting 20 s1-SSe.-
600. which is incorporated in the army ap-
preparation bill reported from the HOUSE,
Military COMMITTEES. II was expected thar
this item would not he adopted. as the
policy Of this Congress Is one Of strict
economy. The item has been adopted be-
cause of the influence sxertsd on Repre-
seutatives and Senator'S and II was sp-
preciated by the House Military Commit
tee that IL would be useless 10 leave ths
item out OF the bill
More than this. the hearing before that
COMMITTEES Of the Assistant Secretary OF
War. General r s. oliver. disclosed the
fact that the militia would be glad 20 have
the appropriation increased 70 S5.0OoOo0 ant
made an annual allotment. instead OF ths
100000 biennial appropriation.
Army officers who feel that too much IL
being given 20 the militia are pointing %
the fact that many Of the important est
mates needed Cor maintenance OF the regu-
lar establishment will not be included IN
this years army bill. One Officer expressed
himself "a follows.
The militia seems to be in a position 70
get anything il wants. while coast de-
fences. personnel increase. legislation for a
general service corps and many projects
for the betterment OF the military service
stand no chance Of Congressional approval
II looks as ~ the militia were rapidly
reaching a point where IL can dictate to the
War Department not only IN matters which
are Of benefit 70 the organized militia but
in those affairs IN which the army is vitality
concerned.
Other army officers. who DO not share this
view. say that the encouragement which
has been given 10 the militia is entirely
justified. as IL Is necessary 20 increase and
improve the facilities upon which the gnv-
eminent must depend for an augmentation
OF the regular establishment IN time OF war