Year: 1876

FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON Jan 81 1915
Tho proposed reductions and notifications In the ex-
penses Of the army embodied in the bill Of General
Banning, Chairman OF the Military Committee in the
House, exciting no little attention anxiety
the part Of the military portion Of the residents Of this
city AS is usual whenever It is approhended that Con-
gress contemplates egsating upon the affairs Of the
army, not only the resident staff officers but those
stationed at remote points, hasten unite concoc-
ing measures OF defence not OF the entire army, but
simply of the stad-he holders OF what termed the
soft places of the army. This has been observable in
the present instance when changes in the
organization of the army likely TO
be brought about Not only have the
various officers representing the different military
bureaus and staff departments in Washington held fire.
quent council to how to avert the impending
but IT has been noticeable that permanent officers ofthe
san, whose stations and duties require their presence
elsewhere have FASTENED from time to time to the capt.
talths too, at the public expense, under order
ofpretendod necesslty-to devise ways and
shape legislation them unharmed while the
officers and men of the line, most of whom the
frontier left TO the tender merces OF the ambitious
Congressman who Is seeking TO achieve reputation
among his constituents for economy. In this respect
the saff officers unselhsh as Artemus Ward who
willing sacrifice all of his first wifes relatives in
the


oFPTcERs,


as has been invariably shown, have always been not
only willing but able. to direct unfriendly legislation
from themselves and offer sacrifice the line OF the
army So often has this been done that the line of the
army has become reduced as TO have reached the
limit beyond which the most exactng economy cannot
safely go Hitherto reductions have been made by
looping of at random number OF regiments and send
ing the officers adriiL At the time, while the
line has been constantly reduced and crippled the va
rous staff departments have been enlarged, until
the army is scarcely deserving OF the
name Instead OF the line constituting the
main feature OF the army and the staff an
appcndage, is the in all other armies, and
should be in ours the dimensions OF the staff be-
come increased and those OF the line so diminished
that military organization presents somewhat the
aspect Of the dog whose tail had increased and
whose body had dwinded away that the tail wagged
the dog instead OF the dog wagging the tail


When, about the time OF the assembling Of Congress-,
the cry that the army TO be reduced by
wholesale the HERALD the first to point out the
absurdity OF such measure not only for the reason
that further reduction cannot safely wisely be
made in the lighting strength of military forces,
but because such STEP If carried 10 the length
at nrst proposed, would be highly impotc a po
ltca measure In that view the HERALD was subse-
queny sustained by some of the abest of the jour
mails OF the country, including Nation Philadelphia
Times Louisville Courier-Jotrndl and Mobile Register
In fact most OF the independent press took strong
grounds against further reduction OF the army and
is doubtful II a majority OF the House could be
brought Of reducing the actual strength
ofthe line The entire Texas delegation has announced
In the House that vote for such a measure can be
obtained from that State. So far from reducing tho
army the subcommittee Texas and Mexico boundary
c. NJ
ditonal regiments OF cavalry for service on
the Rio Grande frontier II is safe TO say that
these cannot be furnished But while the
actual lighting force of the army
consistently be reduced, IL is evident that Immense
saving OF expendture-if actual waste-of public
money and should be made. Much Of this saving
could made by the simple act Of the Secretary Of
War; unaided by legislation If that Office filed by
person able intent upon economic administra-
ton OF the affairs Of that Office II has been satisac-
toriy demonstrated in this instance at least that is
not every who administer the affairs OF The
War Office and conduct successful campaign for
United States Senator in distant State, IL all the
patronage and resources OF the department. are brought
TO bear TO influence tho result





of the army, as shown by writer IN the GALAXY for
February who seems have made a careful examina-
tion OF the SUBJECT is about $40 $50 657. This will
strike the reader as being large sum OF money, and
so il is More than required but few years ago
deray the entire expenses OF the government But
does the army actually cost this amountY The same
writer the Galaxy shows cOnclusivey that of this
vast amount Of money supposed TO be necessary to
keep up little only S2S 294 is the actual
paid for the support and maintenance of what may
properly be termed the line of the army. The follow
ing items, taken from the Army and Nary Journal Of
the sth inst present this subject in compact form:


EoN-coMBATAET FoRcK.





Non com mmissioned stan unattached ...... 255
Military Aoademy-proiessors s; cadets,


2sO. 80
Detachments at West Point. ......g....... 225
signal service. c.-..-.............. 4o4
Retired list. ............................ Z94


- 2,970


Active FoRcK


Cavalry. artillery and Infantry ........... 81 0os
Recruits ............................ 1908
Indian scouts ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 235


-22 936



Total force. 25 OILS
The expense credited TO this force is follows:-
Appropriations for 1906. $40, $50 657
Divided thus