The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-12-02
REORGANIZATION
OF ARMY URGED
Secretary of War Dickinson Makes
This Recommendation in
His Report.
COOPERATION With MILITIA
Annual Statement Also Advocates
More Strenuous Physical Tests,
Certain Amount of Exer-
else Being Suggested.

Washington, Dec, 2--Comprehenslve
and complete reconciliation OF the
army establishment OF the United
States is thea principal recommends
tion contained in the annual report OF
Secretary OF War Dickinson for the
fiscal year ending June 30 1909. made
public today. More officers, closer CO.
operation with the militia of the vari-
Gus states and general readjustment
of the locations of the various army
posts are some of the crying reforms
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 illogl-
cal but offers a serious menace.
At the time of the last reports from
the military departments, which were
received in October, II was found that
the regular army numbered 71.S40 men
with 4,2O9 officers, making a total force
of 76.049, a net increase during the
year OF S.421. The figures do not in
clude the 3,4S5 men Of the hospital
corps.
OF the active officers OF the army
the report calls attention TO the fact
that 709 are detailed to special duty,
nearly half of these. or 345, being dis
tributed among the various schools of
instruction of the regular establish
ment or acting as instructors In state
educational institutions where a fea-
ture is made of military training.
While there were no serious breaches
of military discipline during the year,
Secretary Dickinson declares that
there can be no doubt that the disci-
pline and efficiency OF troops were
lowered by the continued absence of so
many company officers and the result
ing frequent changes OF company COM
manders."
The remedy for this condition, the
report declares, may be found In in
creasing the number of officers and in
the passage of legislation empowering
the secretary of war. whenever the oc-
casion demanded. to appoint retired Of
ficers to active duty temporarily. I'm
not be made subject to orders. but his
return to active service is entirely vol
untary.
The report also advocates more
strenuous physical tests. President
Roosevelt inaugurated an annual test
to determine the physical fitness of
officers, compelling them to ride ninety
miles in three days or 10 walk fifty
miles within the same time. This. in
the opinion of Secretary Dickinson.
should be changed so as to compel of
fcers to undertake a certain amount !
of prescribed exercise each week, the |
amount to be certified by the COM
officers in their monthly re-
ports.
Cooperation With Militia.
Cooperation of the regular army |
With the militia of the states is strong
v urged. The secretary outlines a
'lan to accomplish this. He would
ave the country divided into a num-
'er OF territorial and tactical districts.
% that the militia may be conveniently
Toned i'm those districts into perma-
lent brigades. divisions and corps for
Instruction and tactical organization.
Attached to the headquarters, also,
he report declares there should be
tationed young and active officer OF
he regular army. whose duty IL would
e to instruct and direct the militia
rganizations in the corps district.
uch an officer. IL is pointed out, could
ssue no orders 10 the militia. but it is
eclared he should be given power to
upervise the equipment and instruc-
lon of the volunteer troops of his dis
rict and be held responsible for their
and general condition.
II is proposed to submit the adoption
such plan to the governors of the
everal states. If the states announce
heir willingness to cooperate with
ne war department steps will be TAX
n toward putting the plan into action.