Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1908 — PAY ARMY MORE, SAYS WAR SECRETARY TAFT [ARTICLE]

PAY ARMY MORE, SAYS WAR SECRETARY TAFT

-•- .... .-■! r Rapid Decrease in Regular Force in Recent Years Is Shown by Report. ’ COAST DETENSE A BIG ITEM. Recommends Erection of Stdtus to Memory of Edwin M. Stanton in City of Washington. Secretary Taft is a strong advocate of increased pay for the army, as his annual report, sent to Congress, shows. The report begins with a formidable presentment of figures showing the rapid decrease In the strength of the regular army in recent years (the loss last year being no fewer than 4,428 men) and the ‘pressing need for officers to replace those now detailed on recruiting duty or as military Instructors in educational institutions. The Secretary asserts that, while many reasons have been advanced to explain the difficulty, a sufficient one is to be found in the Inadequacy of army pay. “I think it quite probable,” he says, “that an increase in the pay of the enlisted men, including considerable additional inducement for men to reenlist and such reasonable increase in the pay of non-commmlssioued officers as would stimulate men to remain in the service and to qualify themselves for these higher positions, would have a markedly beneficial effect upon the recniitmeht of the army?’ So the Secretary earnestly favors the adoption for the army of the naval system, under which the President Is authorized to fix the rates of pay within defined limits. He also recommends the creation of a general-service corps to relieve the soldiers of the vast amount of unmilitary work they are now called on to perform. The regular army last year-lost 139 officers and 26,310 enlisted men, and, although it was a year of peace, fourteen of the officers and 358 of the men were killed in action or died of wounds and disease. The Secretary has decided to create one of the new regimental posts at Bagnio, in the Philippines, and asks for an appropriation for the purpose. He also urges an enlargement of Fort McKinley reservation, near Manila, by 6,000 acres, at a cost of $185,000, and the construction of an electric railroad from Camp Overton, on the north shore of Mindanao, to Camp Keithley, on Lake Lanao, in the center of the Moro country. The Secretary urges the creation of a sufficiently large body of competent surgeons, with military knowledge and training, to care for the health and comfort of the volunteer forces in time of war. Among the estimates submitted is an item of $6,488,000 for the construction of batteries at Manila and Subig bay. This estimate appears in connection with others for the insular possessions, and the only comment made upon it in the report is this. "The places recommended for fortification have ail been visited by one or more members of the national coast defense board and the suitability for fortification sites has been carefully studied by the board, and expenditures are being made accordingly.” Accompanying £he report are the estimates support of the military -establishment during the next fiscal year, which is $11.582,931 greater' than last year’s appropriations. By far x tbe greater part of the increase 00 per cent) Is for coast defense works, of which about $21,7(30,000 Is required for the United States and $14,800,000 for the insular possessions. In concluding the report Secretary Taft recommends that .Congress make adequate provisions for the erection of a statue to Secretary Edwin M. Stanton in Washington.