The Indianapolis journal., 1891-02-01
officers with Disabilities" Who Draw Pay
from Uncle Sam and at the Same Time Are
Engaged in Remunerative Business
Brevet Rank Commissions Cannot Be
Issued Until the Law Is Amended.
Rendered Imperative BY lis Ambiguous Word.
ing-work Done by Our Consuls In Enlarg-
ing Foreign Markets for Our Products.
ARMY RETIRED LIST.
How q Well Law Is Taken Advnnt
age of by Mcrcenary Onicers.

How q well-Meaning Law IL Taken Advnnt
age of by Mcrcenary Oriccrs.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-The discovery q
short time since that large number OF
men on the retired list of the army are
drawing salaries from the government II
civil capacities, and therefore violating
the spirit of the federal statute. which for
bids any one in civil life drawing more
than one salary from the government ae
any one time. has brought about consider
able discussion of the proposition pending
in the House to increase the unlimited re-
tired list of the army by q transfer from
the limited list.
The unlimited retired list Of the army Is
made up of officers who have attained tho
age of sixty-four years. There is limited
list of 400 men who have been retired on &C.
count of incapacity, but who, at the time
of retirement. had not reached the age of
sixty-four. The limited list. il appears.
Is more than full. Upward of thirty men
are eligible to retirement to the limited list
who are drawing full pay and rendering no
service to the government, but they are
kept on full pay. instead of two-thirds pay.
because they cannot get on the ii st, which
is more than full It is proposed to reduce
the limited list from 400 to $50 and transfer
bodily the limited TO the unlimited list
Inquiry on the part of members of the
House has had the effect of injuring this
proposition. The men who are on the re-
tired list from disabilities growing out Of
the volunteer service have the sympathy of
Congress; but the disabilities OF men from
the regular service are suspected unless
they are apparent. lt is discovered that
not only do men drawing the pay OF retired
army officers get into the service OF the fed
erai government in civil capacities and
draw a second salary. but they seek the
retired list for the purpose of drawing
retired pay and having opportunity 20
make money by engaging In business In
civil life. 1t Is stated that nearly everyone
of the men who have been placed upon the
retired list before attaining the age OF six
ty-four has almost immediately engaged in
private business. The question naturally
arises, if these men are capable of perform
ing duties for themselves, which are far
more onerous than they have had TO per-
form in the army, why are they placed
upon the retired listi Why do they not SIM
ply resignf
A couple of years or so ago q member of
| the Judge Advocate-generaps corps. came
| over from New York and applied for exam
| ination. and asked to be placed upon the
| retired list. At the same time he openly
| tirement he would enter upon the practice
| of law in New York. where he had been
| stationed so long for the army. de alleged
| dyspepsia. or something of that character.
| Why he could not fill sinecure in the army
| with q station at New York, but could COM
| mand good law practice in the same place
| If only placed upon the retired list. nc
| one knew, except he wanted the pay OF
retired officer. He got the retirement. en-.
| joys the two-thirds pay from the army, and
| is practicing law in New York. This wenf
| without saying. There were men under
| him who wanted his place. and of course
| they urged his disabilities"
| 1t is an open secret that cadets retiring
| from the Military and Naval academies a.
| West Point and Annapolis, either knowing
| their disabilities remain a short time TO get
| on the retired list, or having no disabilities
| conclude to remain in the service till they
| can get upon the retired list by some hook
| or crook. Ii begins to look as though the
| retired lists of the army and navy would
be fruitful subjects for q congressional in
| vestigation.