Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-18
SENATOR SMITH HAS NEW
PLAN FOR THE U. S. ARMY
Propose to Give Soldiers USe-
full Training for Pursuits i
of Peace

nGnSlN6 pan AOE AMNAcdSAAAS NAS AMY "a
the United States in keeping with Pres
ident Wilson'S preparedness policy was
presented i'm the senate today by Sena-
tor Hoke Smith in the shape of an
amendment to the military bill. The
chief feature of the plan proposed by
Mr. Smith involves the preparation of
men in the army for peaceful pursuits
as we'll as for war.
II is believed that this central idea
will have a tendency to cneck the pos
sibility of militarism in America, and
will. by making the army attractive,
contribute at once to it's popularity with
all classes of Americans and improve its
personnel and efficiency.
The amendment provides that She reg
ular army shall consist of 100000 enlist
ed men. and that this increase shall con-
tinue until September 1, 1921. The en-
listments shall be for a period of six
years, two years with the colors and
four. years in a reserve force. No men
under seventeen nor over twenty5six
years old shall be eligible for enlistment,
and none shall be enlisted who has not
completed a course in a grammar school.
UTILIZE POSTMASTERS.
AS a means of assisting the regular
recruiting agencies of the army and the
navy, it is provided that postmasters
shall be named assistant recruiting Of
fcers under such regulations as the
president may prescribe.
The members of the reserve, it is pro-
vided, shall report twice each year to
their postmaster and shall receive $40.
year while members Of the reserve.
They shall be subject to call to the
colors only in case of actual war, or
when war is imminent.
The feature of the plan that seems
particularly appealing provides that in
addition TO the regular military serv-
ice soldiers on active duty shall devote
ninety-six hours monthly to study and
to receiving instructions upon education
al lines not directly connected with the
military service but preparatory to their
return to civil life.
SENATOR MAKES STATEMENT.
In presenting his amendment, Senator
Smith made this statement to the SEN
ate, which provoked Unusual interest:
AN army of 900 men with the col
ors and $4,000 of them going each year
70 the reserves for four years would
make available at the end of five years
100000 trained reserves. in addition to
the regular army.
IF the two years training with the
colors could be made also a training
school fQE civil life with vocational in
structfon sfnc1uded the service would be
greatly elevated and it would be sought
by more than the number allowed.
IF the army Officers are called upon
to aid in preparation not only for war,
but for peace, if they accept this as a
| part of their service following gradua-
tion at West Point and Annapolis, can
any one doubt that their high sense of
duty will bring a great contribution to
the preparation for peaceful pursuits.
THE young men serving for two
years with the colors should be furnish
ed opportunity while there to grow in
mind and character.
The provision for the use of post
masters in the recruiting service is
suggested by the testimony or General
Edwards before the senate committee
on military affairs. He pointed out that
other countries employ civilian officials
to supplement the work of the military
authorities to keep up the personnel of
their military establishments. / feel
sure the pOstmasters of the country
would gladly respond to any call made
upon them to assist in giving an ade
duate army and navy. If the military
authorities can use them they would
be Only 100 iii any pAdNt III
the national System. of defense that may
be suggested to them.
RECRUITING FACILITIES LIMITED.
81 have no doubt the present recruit
ing service both of the army and the
navy is highly efficient, but its facili-
| ties are limited. With the plan of us
| ing thetpostmasters a young man could
call at his postoffice and secure in
formation as to the terms under which
| ne could enlist. This would also pro-
vide a greatly improved system of en-
/ listment in the event of war.
But the chief feature of the sugges-
/ ton is that the two years with the
colors be used equally to train the young
men who enlist for the peaceful pur-
suits of life, as we'll as for service in
the case of war.
The service with the colors should
be made a preparation for both peace
and war built upon plans that will be
Of real benefit TO the men who enlist.
The young men while with the colors
should be encouraged to save half their
pay. or il might be reduced and the
paw while the reserves proportionately
increased.
Il present these suggestions hoping
/ that the policy Of preparing the linen
with the colors for civil life may at
/ least in some shape become a part of
any plan adopted for an increase Of the
army"