national life. He saw clearly that some of the arrangements of the service were simply traditional, and had no good reason for being. He made changes. The most important of these changes was the establishment of a general staff corps representative of the whole army — who were to have power to recommend plans and bills to congress. This measure was strenuously opposed, but was finally passed by congress. The method of appointment of officers was also scrutinized and reforms were made. A system of reports was made the basis of promotion, with the result of greater efficiency than by the old way which left room for favoritism, and by regarding only seniority in service often placed incompetent men in very important positions. Our country’s present efficient army is the result of his care in investigation, his removal of limitations, and his foresight and broadmindedness in devising measures for making the army an effective machine. Secretary Root’s own words in an address at a dinner given him by the general staff are these: “Effective and harmonious organization is the moving power of the world today. Days of trial for our country are sure to come, but I believe the American people will look back to the inauguration of the general staff and a spirit of brotherhood in arms permeating all branches of the American army, as the beginning of a new day, and the origin of an efficiency never before known in the defenders of our government and of our nation.” By the General Staff bill the army is furnished with what Secretary Root describes as the “directing brain which every army must have.” He organized a corps of artillery for our coast defenses. In his administration of the Philippines, his sanitary measures; his vigorous action in stamping out disease; the establishment of a system of schools in our island possessions; the setting in operation of machinery for law-making in our colonial possessions; and the wise settlement of local questions of right of election — were all planned for and favored by the secretary of war. He sought to make of our army in the Philippines a power to maintain peace, to enforce peace if need be by war. To renovate and reconstruct civil and political conditions, leaving them better than they were, was the aim he set before the American army of occupation. Mr. Root’s concentration on the work in hand is one chief source of his strength. He gives all his mind to whatever question he is considering. He is not only a liberally educated but is also a self-disciplined man. He does not
