Show NO DESIRETO WOUND MILES Secretary Root So Declares in Advocating Advo-cating Bill for Qcneral Staff Washington Dec 13 Secretary Root today appeared before the Military committee com-mittee of the HOUFC and submitted an extended argument In support of the War Department bill Introduced by Mr Hull of Iowa for a general I shift lo havo charge of the prparll lions for the national na-tional defense nnd the mobilisation of military forces In time of war Mr Root earnestly urged the advisability of creating a general stan along the lines of the bill Mr Root explained that should war occur the chief of stall who under the terms of the bill will have the rank and pay of a LieutenantGeneral would not be expected to take the field but would have a plan of campaign ready lo hand to lmtever officer the President Presi-dent might select for the Held The latter would not necessarily have to follow fol-low this plan but he would have the benefit of It Effective administration of the army he said could not be hud unless the man at the head of It had the support of the men loyal to his administration The Secretary said the bill would take effect August 10 J003 In order that It would not In any way affect Gen Miles the present head of the army The bill would said he Increase rather than I diminish his power but he dls llkoa the change and I do not ask you to do anything prejudicial to him or anything any-thing that would wound his feelings If the bill goes Into effect August 10 1303 It will be after he has retired from the active list by operation of law The Secretary read a letter I from Gen Young who he sad was to succeed Gen Miles wax inly commending the bill as the best possible solution of tho administration of the army |