New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04
RESTORE ARMY CANTEEN,
GENERAL WOOD ADVISES
Chief of Staff Also Suggests
Legislation for Kidding the
Army of Unfit Officers.
DESERTI0NS INCREASING
Head of Army, in Annual Re-
port, Details Plans for Re-
organization of Field
Artillery.

Washington. Jan 3.-The restoration or
the army canteen and the enactment or
legislation for the elimination from the
United States army OF unfit officers are
among the principal recommendations or
Major General Leonard Wood, chief OF
staff OF the army, in his annual report,
made public to-day. General Wood IKE
wise recommends the concentration OF
the army on strategic lines and in areas
where il can be more economically MAIN
tanned. and would transfer all the per-
sonnet of the staff corps-exceptng engi-
neers medical officers and chaplains-to
the line. increasing accordingly the num-
Der OF general officers and line officers
In the different grades.
The transfer of the personnel OF stan
corps TO the line. in General Woods opin-
ion, will terminate the constant strug-
gle between line and STAFF, struggle
which is as old as the army and one
which promises TO continue. There WOULD
be no interference with promotion, nor
would the members OF the present stan
corps lose any Of their present advan-
taees The staff corps would be COM
posed of men much more closely in touch
with the sentiments and needs OF the line.
There would be more cooperation ana
greater efficiency"
Urges Advancement on Merit Basis.
Discussing means for the elimination
OF unfit officers, the chief Of staff says:
The full efficiency of an organization OF
men cannot be secured without a system
BY when the merits Of the individuals
shall have some effect upon their al
vancement. Tile army has long suffered
from the lack Of such system. Up 70
the grade Of colonel promotion Is entirely
by seniority In each branch. and there Is
no way under the law by which an OF
ficer no matter what his merit. can De
advanced a single number except py max
Ing him a general officer. Conservative
opposition is most to be looked for In the
army. where there is jealous fear OF the
effects Of favorItism. but this would ais
appear under the influence 81 PROPOSE
ton OF law To place the selections where
they belong-in the hands or the service
Itself which surely is worthy OF the trust,
by lodging IL with boards Of officers so
chosen as not to he personally affected
nv their decisions and sworn TO act In ac-
cordance with the best interests or the
service.
Discussing the canteen question, Cen
eral Wood says:
The great majority Of the officers Of the
army are OF the opinion that the re-es-
tablishment OF the canteen under proper
supervision would tend To improve the
health. discipline and efficiency OF the
service through Diminishing intemperance
and immortality. | concur In this opinion.
General Wood encounters an old diff
Guilty In trying to solve the question OF
the fuctuatlon in the number or deser-
tons from year To year. Last year the
desertions numbered 3iol, an increase OF
s97 over the year preceding. 1T is prob
able" he says. that many young men
enlisted last year with an expectation OF
field service which was not gratified."
Field Artillery Reorganization.
For the first time General Wood. in his
report. IL able 10 present to Congress a
detailed plan for the reorganization OF the
field artillery in connection with the gen
eral army reorganization. This general
plan provides that the first increment OF
the skeleton field army shall be two regl-
ments of infantry. six battalions OF field
artillery. one field company of signal
troops. five field hospitals and five ambu-
lance companies. BY this standard there
is at present "A vast shortage or Held
artillery not only Tor the army. but for
the militia. The proper proportion or field
guns is g. ls per 1000 cavalry and infantry.
and on this basis there is at present a
deficiency of 2l3 guns. or the material for
these regiments in the regular army,
while the militia IL short ST guns. There
is no provision. moreover. for effective
service Of ammunition. and many OF the
guns would. i'm a single days fight, use
all the ammunition which can now be
carried for them.
General Wood. referring to the military
maxim that superiority of fire is needed
before troops can advance over the mod
ern battlefield. adds that IL We do not
have this additional artillery the armies
are destined To ultimate defeat. He also
calls attention to the fact that many OF
the states refuse to include proper pro-
nortion OF field artillery and cavalry in
their militia because Of the expense. and
he suggests that hereafter Congress def
nitelv appropriate money which can only
be used by the states for the organiza-
tons OF these arms.
General Wood strongly recommends the
enactment Of legislation pending in Con-
gross for "A certain amount OF govern
ment support of rife shooting in the pub
lie schools