The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-28
LEARN TO FIGHT
is O'RYAN PLAN
FOR N.Y.GUARD
Ecorganized ODD Engineers
to Know the Secrets of
Trenches. He Says.
ARMORl DANCING FLOOR
WILL BE RIPPED OUT

-se standard Of the dsbanded Twenty
second Regiment OF Engineers was so low,
according to statements made yesterday
n, nigh officers OF the National Guard Of
New York. that It will take two years
On Get tho two hattalions which are 20
sppp'ant Il into frs. class shape. Three
quarters of the rank and file of the old
organization may he retained in the new
formations but it is MT believed that more
tnau ono or two of Col. Walter II. Hotch-
ku's rcsinental staff will get commissions.
The disbandment order signed by Gov.
Cl,uu on Thursday and issued by Adjt-
Gen Henry De wit Hamilton, whose head
ouarters are at Albany. will put twenty
,sht officers OF the regiment on the re-
serve list. including the Colonel. Lieutenant
Colonel one Major ana the officers Of four
Of he twelve companies which made up
u. organization. The enlisted men who
&c found TT for engineering service after
r.cil examination viii be formed into
two bat'alons ~ four companies, each in
chJrgo OF Major.
Responsibility for the order, which came
a. an almos, complete surprise to the regi-
u,ut isclf ard 10 most of ;hc officers ard
stirred w bitter Indignation when pub
l,rcd Yesterday, Was taken by Mai Gen.
john +. O'Ryan, field commander Of tho
National Guard Gen. organ explained
las night as THE Sun said yesterday,
that the order was part OF his plan l.:
conform the guard 20 regular army stand
arcs
weak spots Located.
The order did not specifically criticiee
En- officers OF the regiment. but the plans
for Is reorganization do not spare the
weak spots located by Gen Organ in his
personal Investigation, which lasted al
most a year. The fault was found not
With the men in the ranks. who were well
mentioned, IL is said. hut with the officers.
wnp kcT up the discipline but failed to
enlist and train real engineers.
Oihcers OF the National Guard who
Knew Of the conditions In the Twenty-sec-
ouj IL was said yesterday, and regular
army men nave regarded tine regiment as
house OF cards" with fine armory and
fine draperies but not an organization Of
soldier engineers In fact and 1T mainly
for the excellent ballroom floor which the
organization boasted This floor is TO be
torn up in the new dispensat!on of things
and real engineers are to be enlisted and
aC;Ga, tn-inttIins Uola done IL the
Hgmory and in the field.
The Twenty second was designated as a
regiment Of engineers some years ago by
Major-Gen. Roe. 1t had been an infantry
body and il mas always been the attitude
" the hign officials of the guard that "a
regiment Of engineers cannot be made by
-rroke OF the pen" That was done in
the case OF the disbanded organization
and Gen. organ has found that the OFF,
Gers work failed TO make for efficiency.
1T was my plan" said Gen. Organ
50 III
the National Guard that in the event OF
war we could produce what We are in
tended to produce for the Federal Gov
.rnment--a tactical division OF 22,OOO men
on a war footing and 1000 or $4,000
men on a peace footing complete army
~ itself in all arms OF the service such
rs exists in all armies OF the world. An
important part OF division is battalion
OF engineers. and these men must be
engineers in fact with a commissioned per-
sonuel OF trained engineers able 10 handle
othcfS nd get The best Uolk out OF them.
Efficiency shop Methods.
I'VE have got to have efficiency shop
methods with men resourCeful in con-
k,rIctive lines who can repair bridges and
CIlyert-, make roads and plan and build
trenches. It is now right to state that a
lar-e part OF the personnel of that regi-
nept did not measure up to the standard.
Thry have got to do 1t We are going
10 Gauizc such a body"
Cos. Glynn. it was learned yesterday,
do not know Of the proposed plan except
u general way until the order was
placed before MIN for his signature, and
tucD he heartily consented. II was felt
!. the officers who fuythered the move
tdai While ii vi. cause much hard feel
IN they are prepared to stand the cr.ti-
'sm because the step was justified. 1t
"Is stated frankly in reSald t. the order
tlot the division star considered both
dos Of the matter. and decided that the
Obi DAYS OF the National Guard are done,
MAJ efficiency methods must be introduced.
Pro this attitude, the stdtemt nj was
made yesterday, II takes such a drastic
c0'uEe as tAls To create public interest
iu fhH bctfcrmsut OF the state force,
.osr n command do not agree with the
i'eI Of willing but unprepared citizen
.Ilrry.
The disbaudmcnt order gives Gen.
Ol;gau complete personal charge Of or
s Eng he Two battalions Of engineers.
lir has already appointed board OF
National Guard and regular army Off
GERS g. aid him in the Wholesale weed
ing olt Of officers and men. This board
W pass on the qualifications of the
o. rs and make recommendations.
I. =. Army Captain ia Aid.
Ta,s board includes Col l.. Van e,
j. rs chief engineer of Gen. .O'Ryan' $
t'70. as president: Major COnroe of he
Twenty secund, capt. Thomas, /. $ 4"
corps Of Engineers, and anO,lTr Ma ior
In the disbandcd body. About fifteen II
70 commissioned officers in the regiment
ia'e been recommended by Cen ORyan
f. m. new corps and others may be APP
l''r'd by the examining board,
one Of tho two battalions viii he drilled
Is pioneers who accompany Infantry
tnl other troops on tactical marches, pre-
!" Ing roads and profile OF trenches. The
other battalion win be trained in bridge
and other constructive work Both bat
l'.IoAs will know how to care for horses
t'd mules, how 10 make quick dcnoli-
tons, dig trenches, plant trees and make
"" ertauglemcuts, The interior OF the
L." armory at Washington avenue and
l'''a street Is to be rcmodelei, the floor
'.Nen up, stalls put IN and other changes
lie
Gen. bIyan asserted cmphat.cally that
.'r' Vas no politics in the move to dis
i'I tho organization, The order came
Ir" lu GOV. Gl"nu's term because tie
s iu rohab.iitatus the regiment had
p h.ugIc,scd sufficiently to warrant It's
'G'' The same course was taken
- 90 .lt 100 tie case Of the coast artillery.