New-York tribune., 1905-02-26
THE MILITIA DETAIL AGREEMENT.

The conferrees on the Army Appropriation
bin, after much wrestling with the problem of
pay for retired army officers taking militia SER
vice. have accepted the radical but sensible So
luton suggested by the House of Representa-
lives. The House had twice shown by decisive
votes its purpose 10 end what it considered
an abuse, and 10 end it by laying down a
hard and fast rule applying to past as we'll
as future militia appointments. The Senate
had evinced a disposition TO compromise. and
though approving the principle contended for
10y the House. had sought TO limit its applica-
lion. The misleading cry was raised that the
House was trying to discipline and martyrize
certain officer of high rank who was drawing
the full pay and allowances Of a lieutenant
general while serving as inspector general on
The staff of the Governor of Massachusetts
De senate wished TO exempt this appointee
ana few others holding similar Dosts else
where from the operations of the new law
while compelling future appointees Of high rank
10 serve on three-quarters pay and without AL
lowances. The House insisted that one rule
should apply TO all officers; and in the end the
Senate yielded
As we have already pointed out the militia
assignment clause of the Army Appropriation
bill of 1904 was never intended TO create sine
cures for the higher general officers Of the
army. lis purpose was 10 promote the efficiency
OF state militia organizations by giving Gov
ernors the services of trained adjutants and
inspectors. But it was assumed that such staff
assignments would go to retired officers of the
lower grades-to coloneis lieutenant cooneIs
and majors whose acceptance of State dutv
would not compromise the dignity of the army.
II certainly was not contemplated that these
posts would be run after by officers whose pro-
fessional rank was quite out of keeping with
tn q mill
q year brigadier generals, major generals and
Lieutenant generals have taken up militia du-
ties which would have been much more appro-
priately assumed by ueutenants and captains
There are now on file at the War Department
applications for militia service from two major
generals and twenty-seven brgadier generals
IL Massachusetts can have lieutenant general
On her Governors STAFF, why shouldn't Delaware
or NeVadaE IL Delaware asked for a retired
Lieutenant general, he could draw full nav and
allowances for playing adjutant to force of
pa men. In Nevada he might be charged with
inspecting drills or buying rations for I49 men.
And as each State pays something TO it's chief
staff officers, the appointee would find himself
drawing larger pay and allowances for this al
most opera bouffe service than he did when
actually commanding the military forces of the
United States.
Under the amendment agreed TO in conference
eyezy retired officer above the rank of major
who accepts militia duty will draw his retired
pay only, except that colonies and lieutenant
coloneIs will draw the active pay and allow
ances Of a major. But the States which ask
for details are not prohibited from giving such
extra compensation as they may see lit No
retired officer accepting militia duty is there,
fore likely TO receive smaller compensation
tlau tie importance Of his services warrants