New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-02
Wood to Consider Detailing Line
Officers to Staff Duty.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau.


! TWO SIDES TO QUESTION.-One of the
| important questions likely to come before
Major General Leonard Wood as chief of
staff of the army in the next few months
is that relating to the detail of line officers
to duty with the special staff corps. Any
change in the system would require legis-
lation, and there is much speculation
among army officers to whether General
Wood will agree with some of the heads OF
bureaus in favor of return TO tho perma-
nent personnel for special staff corps The
present system was adopted by law during
the administration Of Secretary Root. who
believed that periodical tours OF staff duty
in rotation on the part of line officers would
make them familiar with staff responsible
ties and tasks and fit them better for all
around military work in time of war.
The heads Of the staff corps for the most
part believe there should be a permanent
personnel in those branches. at least in the
higher grades, reserving the Junior grades
for line officers detailed to the duties. 1T
has been pointed out that under the detail
system the line officers on staff duty in the
event of war would desire to return to their
regiments, where there is greater oppor-
tunity for activity and a better prospect
for reward. On the other hand, line officers
are benefited by the detail system, because
1t aids promotion. The critics of the system
also point out that in time of war it would
still be necessary to obtain staff officers
from the volunteer force. or make appoint
ments, largely from civil life, of men who
are not experienced. 1t is a serious ques-
ton what will occur when the grade of
colonel is reached, since hardly any colonel
desires to give up his regimental command
70, -,yly
het General Staff.
There is much interest i'll the subject
among army officers, and views are ex-
changed with considerable warmth. It is
probable that the bureau chiefs who have
been opposed to the detail system will
again this year in their annual reports refer
to the necessity of a return to the perna
rent personnel-at all events, in the grades
above that of the lowest. The views OF
General Wood on this subject. now that
he is chief of staff are awaited with con-
siderable interest, since they are bound to
have much weight with Congress No SUBJ
ject ELECTS more animated discussion among
army officers than the prospect that the
detail system will be materially modified.
PEARL HARROR DOCK-Steps are
being taken to lengthen the drydock at
Pearl Harbor. in accordance with recon-
mendations of the Navy Department, Con-
gress having increased the limit of cost
from $20000O0 to $4,000. AS originally
planned the dock was to be LOO feet long.
When Truman II. Newberry was Secre |
tary of the Navy he urged the building of
dock Of such proportions because he fore |
saw the day when the government would |
possess battleshfps LOCO feet long. He
+I,o +Ia
trend of battleShip cons rHction. On ac- |
count of the limitation D aced on the cost
of the drydock it was necessary to adopt /
modified plans. which provided for docking /
ships 56S feet long. 1t made wide
enough. however, that It's length could |
be increased to the original plans IL Con- |
gress decided to make tSs necessary ap-
preparation. The changes will be made by
the present contractors, under supple
mental contract.