The Washington herald., 1913-10-07
"OFFICERS MUST
AID SOLDIERS"
Secretary Of War Garrison, in
Speech, Urges Greater
Cooperation.
CAVALRY DINNER GIVEN
Senators Vardeman and Chamberlain
and Maj. Gen. Wood
Also Speak.

In claiming that enlisted men of the
army are lacking in faithfulness and
interest. Secretary of War Garrison
placed the blame for the ineficiency of
the army on their officers by an impli-
cation of lack of cooperation, in a
speech last night at a cavalry din
ner'' given at the Army and Navy Club
in honor of the officers in charge of
the visiting regiments of cavalry.
Mr.. Garrison first praised the per
sonnet of the officers, and then said
that he wished he were able to praise
the men. He urged cooperation be-
tween the officers and men as a rem
edy
The several speakers. who included
Senator James X. Vardaman of Missis-
sippi, Senator George z. Chamberla in
Of Oregon, and Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood, Chief of stan. spoke principally
of the need of cooperation as a means
toward the efficiency necessary in
maintaining the army at its present
numerical strength.
Speakers at the dinner were sand
wiched between courses: and, Ia
ChaUtauqua. they divided honors with
comedians from the colored regiments.
quartet from the regimentaI band
which furnished music, such of the Of
ficers WHO could sing or act. and chOruses
Military Order of the Cardiac.
Officers Teach Mon.
Mr.. Garrison. in opening his speech.
said il was not an exaggeration of the
facts 10 say that the present efficiency
in the commissioned branch of the ser
vice was never better in the history
of the country. The officers show the
greatest interest and faithfulness, he
said.
I WISH continued Mr.. Garrison. that
! could say the same thing for the men
II is a truism that the strength of the
army lies with the ability and good will
Of the enlisted men. The enlisted men
know very little but that which they
gain from officers. The sntagonistic at
titude Of the public comes from the en-
listed men,
Officers should cooperate with their
men and get their good will by treating
them right II the officers would show
greater interest in and consideration Of
the enlisted men. they could obtain the
proper spirit and raise the whole force
I" the highest state of efficiency"
Senator Nardaman said that he had
been impressed by the democracy Of the
army and that. like Mr. Garrison, he be
lieved the strength of the army to be in
the character of the men who handle
the guns. because while il is necessary
To have the OFFICERS TO lead it is neces-
sHry to have the men TO follow. He said
that he was opposed to big army, but
that he would heartily support any effort
to form. in time of peace. a nucleus
which could be added TO in time of war.
Chamberlain Defends Officers.
senator Chamberlain said that he diff
tered from previous speakers in that he
believed the men were shown courtesy
nv q
said that every one had heard OF a move
ment to reduce the cavalry from fifteen
TO ten regiments, and that he would IA
vor rather its increase to twenty regi-
ments. Closer relations between the Ma
uonal Guard and the army were urged
toy Mr.. Chamberlain. who continued to
discuss foreign relations OF the United
States
Gen. Wood praised the men who made
up the army. and said that ne hoped
il would he possible in che future to
send the soldiers out into civil life with
n.pr= good will toward the army.
Among the guests were: The Secretary
Of War. Assistant Secretary of War
breckenridge Mai. Gen. Leonard Wood.
chief Of staff; Mai. Gen. Thomas Barry,
commanding the Department of the Eas,;
Senator James X. Nardaman of Mis-
illinois. Gen. John A. Johnston. L. S A
retired. former District Commissioner;
Gen. George B. Davis. DR.. J. NJ. Heller
secretary Of the Military Order of the
Carahao. James D. Kirkpatrick. Brig
Enoch II. Crowder. chief advocate gem
eral: Gen. James r. Aleshire, quarter
master general. Capt. Warren Dean,
Judge Campbell, Senator George f.
Chamberlain Of Oregon, Mai. Gen. W. w.