The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-02
IT'S ALL SHOT UP
Army Is Being Reduced by
Order of Congress.
Means Complete Reorganiza-
ton of Military Structure.
ONLY 125, 900 ENLISTED men
National Defense Act of 1920
Called for 2S5,OOO.
Tactical Units Are Changed
Officers Get Walking Papers.
ONLY $4,000 ENLISTED MEN

l.
Washington. Sept. 2.-The new re-
organization plan for the army,
drafted by the general staff in order
to meet reductions in personnel in ac-
cordanca with congressional acts fix
ing the enlisted strength at $4,000
men, calls for sweeping changes in
the number and size OF tactical units.
An explanatory statement issued to-
day by The war department shows a
large number of such units which will
he either further reduced in strength,
made inactive, or demobilized.
Only 81 Regiments of Infantry.
Only thirty-seven regiments of in
fantry viii remaiQ in the combat
compared to siNty-four regiments
called for under the national defense
act of 1920. The cavalry regiments
are reduced from xteen in 1920 to
fourteen; the field artillery regiments
from thirty-three in 1920 to thirteen,
u us eight separate battalions; coast
artillery reginl from nine to four.
plus those at fixed defenses, and the
engineer regiments from thirteen in
1920 to seven.
number, the infantry regiments. the
statement said. have been reduced in
strength from 1,49G men to !. $50. and
the cavalry regiments from SIS
to GIL
The Twelfth and Thirteenth in
fantry regiments were reduced to s12
enlisted men, respectively. while those
made inactive, with records assigned
toactive associates and provisions made
for rehabilitation, included Thirty
sixth, Thirty-seventh, thirty-ninth,
Forteth Forty-ffrst. Forty
Eifty-first, Fffty-second, Fifty-third,
Fifty-fourth, Sixtfeth and Sixty-first
reg ments, as well as the Eighteenth
light tank batta ion, the Twentieth
Infantry brigade headquarters and
Ienth tank company. Those de-
modified with records turned in to
the adjutant general and without
provision made for rehabilitation in
GUIDED the Forty-fourth, Forty sixth,
Eorty-eishth, Forty-pinth, Fiftie1h,
E1fty-fifth, Fifty-siXth, Fifty-e eighth,
Fffty-n!nth, Sixty-second, Sixty-third
and SiXty-fourth regiments.
Nine training center troops of
cavalry were demobilized and the
Ninth cavalry regiment was ordered
returned to tho United States for sta
ton at Fort Riley. Kan.
Other organizations made inactive,
demobil.zed or converted into smaller
units, included several in the field
artillery service. the coast artillery.
air service. engineers, signal corps,
quartermaster corps. ordnance de-
service.
In the redistribution of the army
within the United States" the state
ment said. fuse is being made of per-
manent posts as far as possible, and
the policy of withdrawing from can
comments is being continued"
OF the camps, distinguished from
environments, used for mobilization
during the war. the statement pointed
out. all have been disposed of except
Camp McClelland, Alabama, switch
was retained for training purposes in
the Fourth corps area.
OF the sixteen national army can
comments, Camps Devens, Mass. Dix.
n. j.; Custer, Mich, and Funston, Kan,
are retained for training purposes in
their respective corps areas. Camp
Travis. Tex, was retained as the Sec
onu division station and the princiDal
training area for the Eighth corps.
Camp Lewis, Wash, was retained as
the principal area for the Ninth corps,
and permanent station for the Third
division. while Camp Mead, Md. was
Third corps area.
THE REDUCTION OF Officers" the
statement added, "as provided in the
last appropriation act has begun, but
Will not be completed until December
Is. A board of general officers is
now meeting daily at the war depart
ment"
LNb OuI OII1C4rS.
tabu4ation of commissioned per
sonnet to be reduced by grades, show
ed 56A colonies to be reduced to ago;
661 observation-disclosures to b77: 2.1e1
majors to 1875; 1885 captains to
$3.50; S.O26 first-lieutenants to 1857:
ana second lieutenants to be Increased
from 1870 to IN. These reductions
will be made from officers on the pro.
motion list, while others on the nom
promotion list will be reduced from
lips to 9SS in the medical depart
e. ment; from 234 to 1853 in the dental
corps; from 1853 to 126 in the veterinE
airy corps; and 1873 to ~ in the motor
ambulance corps.
Eight hundred officers on the nro-
motion list, graded from colonel to
first lieutenant will be retained until
they are absorbed or Reconnaissance
in their next lower grade. When this
Is accomplished, the statement con-
cluded, minimum of 1.716 reductions
will be necessary this year by retire.
ment, resigpation or discharge.
This is minimum reduction of
1875 per cent, or approximately of lone
officer out of every seven" the state
ment said. adding that when the final
reduction in commissioned personnel
is completed, a reassignment will be
made Of officers to branch and arm
of service and to the various organiza-
lions of the army.