Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07
FOR. MORE CHAPLAINS
SECRETARY MoODY'S LETTER TO
REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS.
Proposed Increase in Compensation Ac'
cording to Years in the Naval
Service.


ing letter to Representative Roberts of the
naval committee in regard to the Dill pre-
pared by Bishop Lawrence for the relief of
naval chaplains. He says that with the in
crease in the number Of ships of the navy
It seems desirable that the number of chap
lains should be increased from twenty-four
to thirty, as provided in the bill. He hear
tily approves. the provision prescribing edu-
cational qualifications for appointment to
the office of chaplain, and says that the
question of pay deserves careful attention,
The bill proposes a radical change in the
basis of compensation. Instead of a uni
form compensation throughout the period
of service of s., 800 per annum, it proposes
a compensation Of 81, 900 per annum upon
entrance into the service as lieutenant of
the junior grade, to be increased to 81, 500
per annum after the rank of captain has
been attained and fifteen years have been
spent in the service
Gases of Discrimination.
''From money point of view," says Sec
rotary Moody, there probably would not
be a large enough difference in the total
compensation to be worthy of serious at
tention on the part OF the department.
Whether 1t would be better for the service
and the chaplains themselves to have their
pay begin at a lower point and increase in
accordance with rank and length Of service
l am not yet prepared definitely to give an
opinion. 1t seems to have been widely be-
lieved that the pay table shows a discrimi-
nation against chaplains which is degrad-
ing to their honorable corps. I cannot s
yet see that Such kind of discrimination
exists. Certainly do not believe that any
such was intended, and if it exists it ought
to be corrected. What does exist is a dis
elimination in favor of the younger chap
lains, and against the younger officers of
the line in favor Of the older officers of the
line and against the older chaplains. This
discrimination arises because the basis of
pay is radically different. tits easy to find
cases of chaplafns who have long term of
service and are underpafd in compa rison
with other officers having the same length
of service. 1t is also easy to find cases of
chaplainS with a short period of service
who are overpaid in comparison with other
officers Of the same length Of service.
A Case in Point.
GAS many examples Of the former class
have been cited it might be well to cite one
of the latter. The navigating and ordnance
officer of the Oregon in her famous journey
from the Patific to the Atlantic and during
the investment and battle of Santiago, who
had been twenty-nine years in the navy,
then received $1,000 per annum, while the
chaplain of the same ship, who had been
nine years In the navy, received 81 800 per
annum. In the distribution of prize money
eating and ordnance officer. 1t is clear that
comparisons can he made effectively for
either side, according as they are selected,
and a candid discussion of the question re-
quires that comparisons be made all along
the line
Provisions of the Bill.
''At the present time I rather incline to
the provisions for pay which are contained
in Bishop Lawrence's bill. The lower pay
upon entrance to the service will lessen the
tremendous pressure for appointment to
those places and exclude those who are not
controlled by the highest considerations in
seeking them, while the higher pay in-later
years is reasonably due to long service and
approved efficiency. If the radical change
in pay proposed is made it should be, in my
hereafter be appointed, and not extended in
any degree to the present corps, because
1t is obviously unjust that those who have
enjoyed the advantage Of much higher pay
than their fellow officers in the early part
of their service should now receive equal
pay with officers of like rank in the later
part Of their service.
II may say at this point that in converse
ton with Bishop Lawrence 1t appeared that
the suggestion of combining the opera tons
Of the bill to future appointees met his ap-
prevail.
II have in the best manner possible in
as have occurred to me upon this subject
If, however, the time comes when more
deliberate consideration can be given the
matter I reserve the right to change my
opinion in the light of further inyestiga-
tion.''