Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-26
Move for Efficiency

For the army, the President directed
that two new military departments be
created in the Atlantic coast region
The order means that the task Of or
ganizing whatever army Congress may
authorize will be divided among six
departmental commanders instead Of
four, in the interests Of speed and
efficiency in mobilization.
Protecting Industries
The third step was to assume as ma
tional duty the task of protecting Ameri-'
can industries from domestic disorders IN
the event of hostilities. For this pur-
pose II full infantry regiments, two sep
arate battalions and one separate COM
pany of national guard were called back
into the federal service to act as nation
al police in important districts. Supple
menting these troops. regiment or
PENNSYLVANIA guard and two companies Of
Georgia infantry, enroute home from the
tanned in the federal service.
The Presidents orders were made
known in terse official statements Issued
by both departments. No explanation
accompanied them except the statement
that reorganization of the military de-
partments effective May / was designed
to facilitate decentralization Of COM
mand.
Executive Order
Following is the executive order bring
ing the navy up to war strength:
by virtue of the authority vested In
the President by the act of Congress pro-
vided Aug. %, 1916, entitled An act max
ing appropriation for the naval service
for the fiscal year ending June go 1917.
and for other purposes it is hereby d.
rected that the authorized enlisted
strength Of the navy be increased to 81
600 men.
(signed) WOODROW WILSON"
The navy must enroll Immediately
10000 men to reach the required
strength. Secretary Daniels supple
mented it tonight with personal tele-
country urging them to aid the depart
ment in every way in their power to
obtain the men.
Congress must determine the system
under which an army is to be raised.
Today's action provides more elastic
machinery, found necessary as a re-
suit of the recent border mobilization,
for the enrolling and training of a
great army whether raised as volun-
teers. by CONSUMPTION. or through
universal service bill.
The object of the creation Of the new
departments Of the north, east and
northeast was to distribute among
three central commanders the work Of
mobilization in the states most thick
~ populated and from which the
greatest number of soldiers must come.
The present eastern department direct
ed the mobilization Of approximately 80
per cent. of the guardsmen sent to the
border. With 100000 men, the maximum
authorized strength Of the National
Guard called out in addition to what
ever volunteers might. be summoned.
the task would be too greta for sin
gle departmental organization because
of the vaStneSS OF the supply problems
involved.
Decentralization
Instructions to national guard officers
issued more than a month ago to cover
any future mobilization showed plainly
that the war department had learned its
lesson and proposed to decentralize its
mobilization problems so far as possible
Departmental commanders will complete
ly supervise the assembling Of state
troops in their district hereafter and
will take over Immediately on the call
for federal service the task OF recruiting
for the guard regiments through organ
ization Of reserve battalions.
The transfer Of Gen. Wood from the
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