The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-22
THE ARMY IN CONGRESS.
Tho Pay OF Non-Commissioned Onhcers-
Employing Troops In Civilian Trades.

Employing Troops In Civilian Trades.
WASHINGTON. March 21.-Among the meas
ures before Congress 10 one introduced by Sem
ator Sewell of New Jersey, which provides for
increasing the pay Of non-commissioned officers
Of the army. At present sergeant-majors and
acknowledgements Of artillery, cavalry,
and infantry get sea a month. and first ser.
geants S25. Mr.. Sewell's bill raises these
amounts to S34 per month uniformly. 1t also
raises the pay Of other sergeants from S1s to
So5, and that of corporals from SIS to SIS. 1t
has been observed. however, that whereas under
the present law all OF these non. commissioned
officers spoken Of get 80 more for the fifth year
than for the first of their first enlistment. and
then get still more pay on reenlistment, the
present bill makes no such provision. In the
case OF the corporals, whose pay is not relatively
increased as much as that OF the sergeants. the
result would be actually to give them only the
same in the fifth year as they get now and less
on reenlistment. The bill. therefore. at least In
the case of the corporals, should be amended in
this respect, SO as TO give them the real benefit
for which 1t lie designed.
The subject is one that has long been under
consideration and there is a very general belief
among army officers that one of the best meth
DDS Of increasing the efficiency of the rank and
file would be to hold out higher rewards for the
non-commissioned officers. Gen. Miles. in his
annual report, declares his opinion that the
pay Of non-commissioned officers could be judi
ciously increased. especially that of first SER
Reant, considering the amount of responsibility
required of that position" Other officers have
taken the same ground, Gen. Coppinger even
saying. in his annual report. that "of all meas
ures calculated to promote the efficiency of the
service I deem the increase Of the non-commis-
stoned officers pay the most important" As
army leufalaffoD IA noxx nn6ar conaideration nv
Congress. the present seems to be a 1T moment
for pressing this measure. Under the new tactics
the battle duties of the on-commissioned off,
GERS have become more important,
commissioned officer. musician. or private shall
be detailed. ordered. or permitted to leave his
P F"rm q, q ees ~ sI VI al" mfeip 9 fos em GUINNESS pr blrs per Or
otherwise. when the same shall interfere with
the customary employment and regular engage
The Dill authorizing the Secretary OF War to
use the national military parks for manHuvres
OF the army and the State troops. which has
passed the House. MAJ; II It becomes a law. lead
stacle to the Joint, camping and exercising of
regulars and militia is not the lack OF q place;
s sidn s sns Z; act w w"Hld n at least a help h, In that dise ..
an indication that Congress favors the scheme
of Joint IN military work;
able report IN the House is one authorizing the
n sehools stores H I t tSs ' rsa %s.ata oi 1nsarq BraoR. OF siss
Secretary Lamont will probably detail eight
army officers To assist the force Of inspectors In
the annual visit to the colleges and schools
which receive military instruction. 1t Ia prop
erly considered that, as SO large a number OF off,
asthorough inspection as other duties performed
by the service.
The reduction by casualty OF the maximum
number OF hospital stewards from 100 to 100.
as provided for in this years Army bill. can be
effected easily. since there are now only lO7 of
them. III needed, acting hOaDitAl stewards
above this authorized number Of 100. could be
employed.
The Senate Military Committee has reported
ad adversely the bill to give retired officers the
rank and nay they would have had II promoted
according TO their entire length OF commissioned
service In the regulars and volunteers, That.
doubtless, ends the project for this year.