Evening star., 1915-05-27
Explains Reorganization Plans.

nation OF the plans for the reorganiZa-
ton. He said that the reorganization
does not affect the office Of 'brigadier
general commanding" and that an ap-
pointment to fill the vacancy caused by
the retirement of Gen. George H. Har-
ries probably will be made in a few
days He declined, however. to give
the slightest intimation as to the iden-
tity of the probable appointee.
"In November, 1919" said the as
sistant secretary, there was published
in the organized militia the plan of the
War Department for the creation Of
twelve organized militia division dis
tricts, and the maintenance in each Of
these districts of complete tactical
division of organized militia troops.
On December 20. 1914. there was pub
lished War Department circular ex-
tending this plan SO as to provide also
quota Of field army troops" Cavalry
Divisions and Coast Artillery. Under
these plans the District of Columbia
was assigned to the Eighth Division
district. which district includes also
ginia and West Virginia.
Excess of Infantry in Division.
The Eighth Division district now main
infantry in excess of the nine called for
in the War Department plans referred to
above, but there is shortage Of twenty
seven companies Of coast artillery. two
and seven-twelfths regiments of cavalry,
one regiment of field artillery, two bat
talions of engineers and three ambulance
companies. While it is true that the in
fantry constitutes the backbone Of the
army, it is also a fact that this infantry
fspy tSal ion vHrifG
out the assistance of the other arms.
1T is evident. then, that these other
arms, known technically auxiliary"
arms, should be maintained. even if need
be, at the expense of disbandfnent OF some
of the excess infantry. The War Depart
ment has repeatedly advised the states
to convert part of their infantry into the
auxiliary troops now lacking, but the
states have been loath to do this because
they consider that the auxiliary arms.
though needed for federal purposes are
expensive to maintain, and are ordinarily
of small use for purely state purposes.
D. C. Guard Also Has Excess.
The District of Columbia now main
tains two and one third regiments of
infantry in excess of the force assigned
to it in circular No. 10, above referred
to. At the same time there is a short
age of four companies of coast artil-
lery. one troop of cavalry, two bat
teries of field artillery and one ambu-
lance company.
LAS it is manifestly impossible to
maintain these auxiliary units in ad-
dition to the existing ones, it would
seem that the only feasible way to or
ganiZe the latter is to utilize part of
the personnel of the existing infantry.
To Consolidate Two Regiments.
1T has been determined to consolidate
the first and second regiments of Dis
trict of Columbia infantry into single
regiment and to organize an additional
battery of field artillery and a company
of coast artillery. In this way it Is
hoped to maintain one infantry regi-
ment at full strength, in addition to the
separate battalion, and to proceed as
rapidly as possible to the organization
of the auxiliary arms without which
the Sth Organized Militia Division can
not be regarded as properly organized
for
Necessarily. the proposed consolida-
tion will result in the separation from
the service of some of the officers. The
loss of these officers is to be regretted,
but it is considered unavoidable under
the circumstances. In every case an
effort will be made to give these gen.
tlemen all possible consideration"