Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-16
GENERAL STAFF BASIS PLAN
Secretary Baker Asks Congress
to Completely Rebuild
Department.
CHIEF WOULD BE SUPREME
Inefficiency of Present System
Bewailed in Request for
New Organization.

WASHINGTON. Dec. Organi
zatIon Of "A war council Of the war de-
partment 10 coordinate all matters
of supplies for the armies at home and
overseas and the military relations
between the armies in the field and
the department, was announced to-
night by Secretary Baker.
Composing the council are the sec
retary and assistant secretary of war.
the chief of staff and Mai. Cen Henry
q. Sharpe, quartermaster general;
| Maj. Gen. Erasmus NJ. Weaver, chief
of coast artillery; Maj. Gen. William
CroZier, chief of ordinance. and Mai
Gen. Enoch II. Crowder, provost mar
shal general.
Mr.. Bakers announcement said that
when Gen. Tasker II. Bliss. chief of
staff, who participated in the inter-
allied war conference. returns from
| Europe, he will bring to the new
| organization his knowledge OF condl-
tions which affect all branches of the
service, and that from time to time
members will be ordered to the front
to make observations for the informa-
tion OF the council.
Reorganization Proposed.
| Reorganization of the war depart
ment on sound general staff basis
|
service as a national policy are recon-
mended in the last annual report of
Mai. Gen. Hugh l.. Scott, as chief Of
staff.
The document. made public tonight,
III devoted almost wholly to n discus
sion of the staff question, General
Scott explaining that his long absence
In Russis ard his ''lmpeDdlng depart
urc for France" gave him little time
81. -
the army's preparations for the war.
| After referring to what has beea
accomplished in the way Of prepara-
tion. General Scott deplores the pau.
city Of general staff officers FOR work
OF such unparalleled importance" and
ascribes this shortage TO the act of
congress In 1916 which limited the
total number OF such officers to 55.
only half OF whom could be held on
duty In Washington at any one time.
The staff did not reach a strength OF
~ officers until congress Increased
that body in May. 1917 the report
says. and adds that had this number
OF officers been available in February
and the months following prepara-
! tons for our entrance In the war
would have been improved and hast
ened."
Chief to bc Supreme.
General Scott asks that congress ex-
anime the question of staff control of
the army in spirit freed from every
touch of personal interest or preju-
dice" and recommends that the chief
of staff be made the secretarys one
| and only organ for command of tho
army in all that pertains to "disctp-
line, recruiting. instruction. intell-
gence, training, arming. equipping. mo-
bilization. transportation. education
lmoving of troops. the appointn, ent,
promotion, detail and selection OF Of
ficers' with authority to secure CO.
operation OF the entire military estab-
lshment. Creation OF chiefs of cav
airy. infantry and field artillery under
the chief Of staff and staff sections 70
deal with recruiting, movement OF
troops and promotion and detailing OF
officers is also recommended.
The annual reports OF the adjutant
general and Inspector gener;l were
also made public tonight. but they add
little Information as to the present mil
itary situation or the condition Of the
army as they deal mainly with the
period prior 20 last June 80.