The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-02
SCOPE OF army
PLANS REVEALED
'Carrison's Letter to War COL
lege Indicates Scheme to Be
Presented to Congress.
HOPES FOR LEGISLATION
Creation Of Reserves for Both Army
and Militia Are Part Of
Program.

How far Secretary OF War Garrison in
| tends to so in making inquiries for data
| to guide him in framing recommenda ton:
to Congress for the reorganization of tho
| army is indicated In a series OF questions
| that have been addressed to members OF
the Army War College. The reports tC
| be made by these officials and the severa
department commanders will be place,
in the hands of the board of review, OF
| which Gen. Scott, Chief of staff. is chair
man. and will in turn be considered by
the Secretary himself.
! Secretary Garrison plans to submit t.
| Congress at the December session the
most elaborate report on the condition oil
| the mobile army and the coast dcfcnses
anS their needs that has ever been pre-
pared by the War Department. lie is
confident that legislation of large impor-
lance to the army will pc the result.
! The inquiries addressed to officials OF
the War College indicate that Mr.. CARR
son has in mind the creation of reserves
| for both army and the state militia or
Eanizati tons; the establishment, if posi-
| bic. of some system assuring genera
military training; the storing of war ma
| terials for emergency purposes. and GER
! tain plans to safeguard military estab-
lishments and supplies in case Of inva-
sion.
Secretary Garrison's Questions.
The queries arc outlined in a COM
munication addressed to Gen. McComb
president of the Army War College. as
! follows:
! I. Having in mind the Australian
and Swiss systems. formulate a policy
for our national defense which will be
practicable and economical 1t is de-
sired that this study includes. if pos
I N-~l.,
! education which might in time lead TO
a reduction in strength of the regular
army and organized militia.
Under the Australian and Swiss sys-
TENS every citizen of military age de-
votes a part of the time each year TO
military training.
2. Based on studies on file in the
| War College, recommend system to
! provide. ts) a reserve for the regular
army: OBJ. a reserve for the organized
militia.
;. What general policy and what
rules and regulations based thereon
should be followed in storing or pro-
viding for reserve material and sup
plies which should be available and
which can not otherwise be promptly
obtained or delayed until the outbreak
Of the war? Where and under what
rules and regulations should they be
stored or how should their emergency
manufacture be provided for:
Lesson from Pension Roll.
T. Study the pension roll as affected
by the war with Spain. Can any lesson
be drawn therefrom indicating the ex-
cessive cost or otherwise of calling
masses of unframed soldiers In the mill
tary service of the United States?
.. Study the report of the commission
appointed by the President to investigate
the conduct Of the War Department in
the war with Spain What lessons drawn
therefrom should be incorporated In a
comprehensive statement Of suggested
military policy of the United States?
6. Study the location Of our srsenals,
powder plants. rife. projectile and ammu-
milton manufactures. both public and
private. What policy. if any should be
adopted looking toward the safety Of the
arsenals. etc, in case of an invasion of
our country or toward their removal to
other and more easily defended local
tiles?