322 
EDITORIAL. 
to Congress. He has been asking for recommendations from 
the various heads of departments of the Army as to the needs of 
the service ; why should he not ask what a chief veterinarian 
would recommend ? We suggest to the national association the 
creation of a special committee to work with the Secretary of 
War before the assembling of Congress, so that our cause may 
be espoused rather than opposed by the executive head of the 
War Department. If his friendship cannot be gained there will 
be just that much harder battle for our workers at the front. 
But with his powerful influence on our side, and a strong influ¬ 
ence brought to bear upon Representatives throughout the 
country, and especially the members of the Committee on Mili¬ 
tary Affairs, the struggle would be short and decisive. We have 
been forewarned by our experience in the Senate : let us be fore¬ 
armed for the conflict in the House. Nor should we adopt any 
“ rule or ruin ” tactics. If it becomes morally certain that the 
amendment cannot pass in its present form, we should not dis¬ 
dain a respectable compromise, obtaining the high ranks asked 
for and yet making the service subordinate to the Adjutant- 
General’s office. This would be much better than to lose everv- 
thing in the cry of “ all or nothing.” We gained much in 1899, 
and to lift our representatives in the army to high commissioned 
officers (in place of civilian nonentities, as they have ever 
been) would be a wonderful stride for 1900. The multiplicity 
of wars, which seem to be rearing their ugly heads from all cor¬ 
ners of the earth, may make it necessary in a short time to greatly 
increase the numerical strength of the standing army of this 
country, especially the cavalry arm of the service (which has 
been clearly proven to be the most efficient), and then it may 
be a simpler proposition to ask that the veterinary service be 
organized into a corps, as now sought to be created. 
These remarks are offered for the consideration of those who 
have given to the subject so much hard work and careful 
thought, in the hope that out of the national body may come 
forth a wise and successful programme for the struggle that yet 
lies before us. 
