Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-01-13
SECRETARY Of WAR
FOR ARMY Reserve
Explains His Scheme TO the
Senate Military Affairs
Committee
OBJECTION TO
MORE OFFICERS

Lindley NJ Garrison. Secretary OF
War told the Senate Military Affairs
Committee yesterday he believed that
the American people we're more thor
oughly aroused over the question Of
national defense today than they had
been in many years.
The discussion was precipitated by
a proposal of the War Department
to provide for an army reserve of
men who have seen service With the
colors
The lack of public respect for the
military uniform was mentioned as
one of the causes which initiate
against more numerous enlistmentc.
Senator Henry A. DUPONT, of Della
ware, referred to the exclusion Of
men in uniform from places of amusc-
ncnt. 1T is a shame that civilians
have not more respect for the uni
FORM! he declared.
81 will cooperate with Congress in
every way that ! can to have proper
attitude displayed toward the uni
FORM" warmly replied Mr.. Garrison.
THE American people have been so
mutn Ottupltu Win oAiNi iN"'tN-"
they have not realized what the army
meant to them. In consequence they
have not had that sort of pride IN
the army that would make men proud
to be i'm II.
Senator Charles S. Thomas, of Colo
RADIO. suggested that the attitude OF
organized labor may have something
to do with the curtailment OF enlist
ments in the regular army and mill
tia organizations.
What can we do to improve pub
lie respect for the service?' asked
Senator Thomas.
81 think the American people for
the first time have been seriously
aroused through the newspapers 10
consider the matter of national de-
fence@ replied Mr. Garrison. i am
now hopeful that one result OF TINS
will be proper attitude toward those
persons who are devoting their lives
TO this important branch of the gov
eminent
Continuing. Mr.. Garrison said h'
thought very little could be done BY
LEGISLATION to increase respect for tho
army and navy. Criminal statute!
will not build public opinion he as
serted discussion of national de
fence by business men and leaders II
every community will have a bette
effect than all the statutes that car
be passed"
"By what system are the Eu
ropean nations able TO mobilize thei
armies so quickly?' asked Senate
Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock. OF Nebraska.
Henry Beckinridge, Assistant Secr'
tarv of War, volunteered the informa
ton. Each territorial unit knew wher
10 report, he said, and the men wer
furnished at some convenient mobiliza
ton point. with uniforms and equiv
ment. Mex they gathered in division
in mobilization camps.
No paw is provided for reservists
the pending bill except when they al
in actual service with the colors VI
Garrison said that men who had bee
in the army would make efficient unit
ii they could be modified in time q
need and organized into one militar
unit
at is difficult now to convince me
who enlist for term of four years wit
the colors and three years with the i,
serves, that they are not enlisting fC
seven years" said Mr. Garrison. "Ul
proficiency could be III ,harged at Il
end of twelve months and pass into Il
reserves
The question Of whether reservisi
would wear uniforms and be exeml
from jury service and other civ
duties was only touched upo
slightly.
A bill to add 1000 additional of
GERS to the regular army was crit
cised by Senator Hitchcock and Ser
atcr DUPONT Mr.. Garrison explain
cd that all appointments from II
outside would be to the grade of Sc
end lieutenant and higher grade
would be filled by promotion. He sa
the bill was designed to increase c
fioioncy rather than expedite prom
tiOns.
Senator DUPONT criticised the prop'
tion of officers Of the grade of color
and the lieutenant colonel. At mis-
quest statement from the War Cole
justifving IN, increases sougat "
asked for v u, committee He thong
there should he more majors an ca
tains, as shsse tif'tcrs were usually {
tailed To mihtar5 colleges and fof du
with the state militia
Mr. Garrison tauscl surprise Nv
statement that there are eighty l2-ir
guns in che coast orti lery to mvl.
which there ,eo not sufficient Ollie
and men,
pptr pcrtTp ,r,,N prpCr