Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-25
Criticism Of the Detail System.


The Secretary of War is being urged to
Incorporate in his forthcoming annual re-
mort an urgent recommendation to Con-
gress that the so-called detail system
be abolished, at least in part.
1t is proposed that only the junior places
in the special staff corps-that OF major
in the adjutant generals and inspector
generals departments, that of captain IN
the quartermaster's subsistence ana pay
departments and that Of captain and first
lieutenant in the Signal Corps-shal De
filed by the detail of line officers. Line
officers so detailed, it is proposed. shall
serve their tour of duty and then return
to the line, where they are greatly need
ed. 1t is further proposed to have the
senior grades filled by the appointment
out and out of officers who have served
in a detailed capacity and have proved
their usefulness on staff duty. In that
way, ii is argued, there would be FUR
nished a permanent personnel IN the upper
grades of the staff departments and in the
junior grades a detailed personnel from
which the permanent officers may safely
and profitably be selected.
The reports of the department COM
manders are devoting much attention to
this situation, and number OF them de-
scribe the conditions resulting from the
long absence Of line officers from their
commands as seriously detrimental to the
discipline and efficiency of the line. The
present system was adopted as a part OF
the reorganization Of the army, brought
about by Senator Root when he was Sec
rotary of War, the most important feature
of which was the creation OF tho general
staff At that time the permanent per-
sonnet OF the special staff corps was abol-
ished. Since then vacancies. as they have
occurred in the quartermaster's pay, sub
sistence, adjutant generals and inspector
! Corps, have been filed by the detail Of
| officers of the line. While this detail sys-
tenn has had its immediate advantages
for the Individual selected for staff duty
and the junior promoted to the vacancy
| thus caused, 1t has had the effect OF de-
priving line commands Of more than zoe
| officers of all grades. from colonel to
second lieutenant. inclusive. 1t Is repre-
scented that this system has caused much
confusion and has resulted in depriving
many troops, batteries and companies OF
their captains. The situation Is regarded
| in some quarters as one of the most Sc
rious of those with which the military ad-
| ministration must cope.
Recognition Of Acts Of Courage.
| Gen. Wotherspoon, acting chief of staff
| of the army, has issued a general order
giving the names and services for which
certificates of merit have been awarded
since July, 1908. There are fourteen
cases in the list. OF the number, Private
Julius Jackson, 25th Infantry; Private
Armar D. Keeney. sth Infantry; Corp.
John P. O'Keefe. I'd Infantry: Sergt. Ole
| B. Olson. Sd Infantry. and Sergt Clyde
H. Stewart, 7th Infantry. received GER
| tificates for rescuing others from drown
| ing at the risk of their own lives.
| Certificates were awarded to Corp.
George A. Campbell. 2Sd Infantry. and
| Private James Fisher. I'D Infantry. for
meritorous services at Leyte. ?. l.; re-
a leader of Pulajanes: to Corp. Eugenio
Mandoza. Philippine Scouts. and Private
Grady Nye. 18th United States Volun-
teers. for conspicuous gallantry in action
in the Philippines: Corp. William F. Can
| non, 18th Infantry. and Private Frederick
| Hennecke, 4th Infantry. conspicuous gal
lantry in action against Pulajanes by
| placing themselves in front OF the con-
stabulary soldiers at the risk Of their
| lives and stopping their firing into their
| own commands.
! Corp. Roy F. Cox. Sigma! Corps. received
| his certificate for highly meritorous serv-
ices in voluntarily travelling about thirty