East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-12-03
RECOMMENDS ARMY
Be REORGAN|zED
SECRETARY OF WAR
MAKES ANNUAL REPORT
Dickinson Suggests Comprehensive
Changes in Present Management of
Army-Says That Majority of Army
Posts Are Not Situated in Right
Cities.

Washington. Dec S.-Many 3. changes
in the military establishment are sug-
gested by Secretary of War Dicllin-
son in his annual report. He recon-
mensd.
a change in the Roosevelt physical
tests SO as to require of officers in
addition to the annual, a weekly rid
ing or walking test.
The division of the United States
into territorial and tactical districts
so that the organized militia of the
states may be conven emily combined
with the regular army stationed
therein into permanent brigades. di-
visions and corps of instruction and
tactical organization.
The location of troops in or neNr
the principal cities, instead of distri-
buting them at remote forts to meet
the three requirements of economy
possibility of rapid movement and the
training of the militia.
More officers for the army and
promotion on the merit system.
Liberal appropriations for the COM
pletion of fortifications projects of the
Philippines, Honolulu and Pearl
Harbor
encouragement of rifle practice
among citizens and school boys,
The establishment of national park
at Niagara Falls to preserve the see
mic features.
The secretary made public his esti-
mates to congress for the coming
fiscal year amounting to s95,325,399,
or sS,OO0,O00 less than appropriated
for the present fiscal year.
a reorganization of the army es-
tablishment of the United States is
the principal recommendation con-
tained in the annual report of Secre-
tary of War Dickinson for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1909, made pub
lie today. More officers, closer CO.
operation with the militia of the va
rious states and a general rea6'ust-
ment of the locations of the various
army posts are some of the crying re-
forms urged upon the attention of
congress. The present distribution of
the troops of the regular army, in the
opinion of the secretary of war, is
not only illogical but offers a' serious
menace.
At the time of the last reports from
the military departments. which were
received in October, it was found
that the regular army numbered H.
$40 men with 1909 Officers, making
a total force of 76.O49, a net Increase
during the year o. 3421. The figures
do not include the 34S5 men OF the
hospital corps,
OF the active officers of the army
the report calls attention TO the fact
that 100 are detailed to special duty
nearly half of these, or 345, being
distributed among the various schools
OF instruction of the regular estab
Hshment or acting as instructors IN
state educational institutions where
y feature IS made Of military training.
While there were no serious breasnes
of military 'scipline during the year
Secretary Dickinson declares that
tharo can be no doubt that the dis
ciul ne and efficiency of troops were
lowered by the continued absence OIL
eo many company officers and result
! ing frequent changes Of company
commanders"
The remedy for this condition, the
/ report declares may be found IN IN
| creas.ng the number of officers ana
in the passage of legislation empower
| ing the secretary OF war whenever
the occasion demanded, to appoint
retired officer cannot be made sub
~ rot