The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-08
T|LSON PRAISES
FIGHTING FORCE
Soldier-Congressman. Back
from Front, Commends
United States Army
CALLS 1T A HIGHLY
EFFICIENT BODY
Favors Abandonment of Small
Posts and Perrna-
nent Maneuver
Grounds 49, .

WASHINGTON. June s.-Uncle
Sans scoidiers are trim and fit, ac-
corc:ng to Major John O. Tilson. rep
resantative at large from Connecticut
who has just returned from the camp
at San Antonio. He is the only mem
Der OF Congress who has made an ex-
tensive inspection Of the camp. He
will fight against the retention of "po-
litical army posts" and for big mobili-
cation stations. His view are set forth
In the following statement written to-
day for the United Press:
BY Major John O. Tilson, OF Con-
nectcut.
Copyright, 1911, by The United Press
/ went to the United States army
maneuVer camp at san Antonio. be-
cause ! believed 1t an opportunity to
make myself a more useful member of
the committee on military affairs. Be
cause of ny membership In the House
instead of being detailed with an Off
Ger OF my own rank | was assigned
70 the headquarters of Major General
carter, commanding, where / had full
opportunity TO meet every officer In
camp. and see and hear everything
that was done
The division is day a splendid
mighty efficient body of lighting men,
ali of whom are in excellent condition.
| found the United States army Off GERS
the hnest set of men ] had ever met
Most OF them are enthusiastic. and
| earnestly working for the improve
anent of our military forces. ! favor
the establishment OF Il permanent ma
+ neuFer ground. where a large part of
the army could come together rs at
san Antonio. This should be In one
Of the border States where the ell
mate is mild
Would Abandon Small Posts.
The experience at San Antonio dem
onstrated TO me the necessity of the
abandonment, as rapidly as possible,
| or the small army posts, The army
should be gathered into few large
posts. for two reasons--first. for
greater economy and second, because
under the present system, officers high
er than Major have no opportunity OF
exercising the commands belonging to
/ their rank This system grew up from
| the Indian wars, when II was neces-
| sary 10 have troops on the frontier II
| has been perpetuated by influential
members OF Congress, both Senators
and Representatives being sinners
alike, who have obtained from Con-
/ gress large appropriations for the posts
| in their districts.
| ! conferred with a large number OF
/ officers and men. and learned their
| opinions on various army Legislative
| propositions now being considered.
/ found the officers unanimous in favor
Of military reserve, though opinion
varied as to the details of the scheme
/ Above all, I am convinced that any
reduction of the pay, travel allowance
| or clothing allowance OF the enlisted
| men is be avoided sltct, ra1,c
! ttons are certain to render the service
less attractive, and will make recruits
even more difficult than at present.
| ! believe the plan or detailing militia
| Off cials to the maneuver camp will
| prove great stimulus to national
guardsmen, II was his own fault II
any militlaman failed to get a vast deal
| of instruction from his visit. Each
militia officer was assigned to regu-
lar army officer Of his own rank, fol
lowing him about. and saw everything
/ thar he did and how he did II.