The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-14
WOOD PROPOSES
four IMPORTANT
ARMY INNOVATIONS
Sends in Recommendations
to Secretary Garrison in
Annual Report as
Chief of Staff

Washington, January 13-Four steps OF
vital importance, essential to place tha
United States army in state of reason
able preparedness for possible war were
recommended by Secretary Garrison to-
day by Mai, Gen. Leonard Wood in his
last annual report as chief of staff.
General Wood proposed:
1. Establishment of a reserve of trained
men sufficient to bring the regular army
Immediately to fill statutory strength
and to replace the losses of the first
three months, of war
2. Prompt provision of the remaining 42
per cent of the field artillery project,
including guns as yet unprovided for
and the necessary ammunition for those
now made or under manufacture.
3. Creation of the necessary organiza-
tions 10 give three complete tactical in
fantry divisions within the continental
limits of the United Stptes.
4. Enactment Of hueh personnel legisla-
tion as viii eliminate effectively the unit
and stimulate the efficient officer to con-
tinued efforts through establishing q con-
dition under which progress in rank and
command will have a close and dependent
relationship upon capacity, fitness and
accomplishment.
Would Avert Disaster
The establishment of the reserve and
the completion of the artillery project,
General Wood said, should begcarried
out at once to avert disaster in time Of
war The shortage of ammunition. he
added, constituted a grave danger, as the
ha aFattf .,f.t,t Il
without great delay. The tactical infan-
try divisions are necessary to complete
one field army of about 10000 regular
troops withwin the continental limits of
the United States This would mean a
field army af about 10000 mobile troops
IN population of more than 10000 600.
The report referred to the Mexican stu
patrol for the enforcement of the neu-
trality laws and the protection of the
people on the border General Wood sad
this work has been performed i'm an ad-
mirable manner. indicating high degree
of discipline. The division assembled at
Texas city, he said, had been maintained
in excellent condition. the camp santa
ton rejecting great credit on the medical
corps.
In connection with the creation of re-
serve. which he regards as the most i'm
portant army matter that has been before
Congress in many years, General Wood
pointed out that in case of war the army
would require Immediately several thou
sand officers. lie suggested the creation
of a reserve of officers by selecting each
year 400 young men from the graduating
classes of military schools with army Of
ficers as instructors, to be commissioned
provisional second lieutenants in the army
for periods of one year. subject only to
physical examination.
I n oh
to be maintained at full statutory
strength the report said, 10 additional
regiments must be provided. General
Wood expressed the opinion that lhe
Philippine scouts should not be included
in estimating the strength of the army,
and pointed out that their exclusion
would permit the organization Of the in
fantry. field artillery and engineers neces-
sary to complete three tactical infantry
divisions.
Limited Number of Horses
To encourage the development of the
cavalry army in the militia, the general
suggested authorizing the maintenance g
a limited numbers or horses for the
guardsmen. New York, he said. was the
only state which had made progress the
past year toward the completion of a
divisional militia organization, and its
militia may shortly be expected to COM
plete the plans for smoothly passing into
federal service in case of need. The re-
port favored federal pay for the militia
when it is promptly available for federal
service.
General Wood recommended admitting
to the military academy upon physical
examination alone young men of proper
character who have passed entrance ex-
aminations to schools and colleges whose
tests equal requirements at West Point.
Though the consolidated quarterma ster
corps has operated successfully, the re-
port advised that it should be relieved
Of all construction work, which should
be transferred to the engineer corps.
Also the ordnance department should
manufacture all quartermaster supplies