Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-14

Colonies 60
Brigader generals ..........-..'...-..'' =
| Lieutenant generals.
1.-THE consequences of those proportions
is that in the ordinary course OF promo
lions by seniority, considering the casual
ties that occur through death, resignation.
dismissal, disability and retirement az
sixty-four years of age, officers Will reach
the grade of first lieutenant at ABOUT thirty
years of age that of captain at ABOUT
thirty-nine years of age, that of major at
about fifty-two years OF age, tnat OF iieu1
tenant colonel at about ifty-eight years OF
age and that of colonel at about sixty
wears of age 1t is possible to reduce these
ages only by selecting individuals for ad-
vancement beyond that which they woulo
otherwise receive, which process would al
feet only themselves and would cores
pondingly retard the promotion of others,
thus not affecting the average ages or pro-
motion or to eliminate by some artlhcial
process a sufficient number to cause those
remafning to receive their promotions to
the different grades at what might be
considered reasonable ages. 1t Is the
object Of this bill to accomplish the latter
process effort being made to insure that
fine officers eliminated in order to accom-
pIish the more rapid promotion or those
who remain shall be the least efficient in
their grades.
High Rank Earlier.
1.-The bill provides that when the number
of promotions from each grade, up to that
of lieutenant colonel. shall not average
annually stated percentage of the total
number of that grade, by reason OF normal
casualties, sufficient number of vacancies
shall be artificially created by selection to
bring the number of promotions up to the
stated percentage The percentages given
have been computed SO as to cause the
promotion of officers to the grade of cap
tain at an average age of thirty-four years,
to that of major at forty-four years, to
oO1n al at yn0r nd
to that of colonel at hfty-four years of
age. 1t Is found by computation that, in
addition to those which statistics show
may be counted upon as dropping out by
ordinary casualties, 1t would be necessary
to eliminate annually by the operation of
the act about twenty-eight lieutenants,
about thirty-seven captains, about four
teen majors about six lieutenant colonies
and about three colonies. From all causes
there would occur annually in the organiza-
ton considered about III vacancies, which
would have to filed by the appointment of
that number of second lieutenants.
Increase in Retired List.
1.-THE increase In the retired list under
the proposed act is very largely in the
lower grades and that number of retired
officers In the higher grades would be very
considerably less than under the present
laws. The effect would, however, stin be
considerable increase in cost, and to
meet TINS IL IS provided tnaL Inc pay Oh
officers of less than thirty years service.
when retired, shall be materially less per-
centage of their active pay than that which
is provided for officers retired under the
present laws. 1t Is proposed that the pay
of officers retired under this act shall be a
percentage OF their active pay represented
by one-twelfth of the square of the num-
Der of years of their service as officers up
to thirty years. For service of less than
thirty years the retired pay diminishes in
more rapid proportion than the length of
service itself. under this plan; SO that Off
GERS retiring with little service and at cor
respondingly younger ages win receive less
than proportionate percentage of their
retired pay Thus, officers retired as first
| lieutenants after about eleven years of serv-
\ Ice in order to make room for the statu-
| tory number of promotions of second lieu
| tenants, will receive about 10 per cent of
| their active pay, or about $3.50 a year; OFF,
GERS retired as captains, after about twenty
| years service, will receive about SO 1-3 per
cent of their active pay about 5000 a
year; officers retired as majors, after about
| twenty-seven years service, will receive
| about GO per cent of their active pay, or
| about 81, 100 a year. officers retired as lieu
| tenant colonies will probably have had
nearly thirty years of service, and officers
retired as colonies will certainly have had
| such length service and will thus receive
| 10 per cent of their active pay, as under
| the present laws.
Net Cost Of Proposed Change.
Under the supposition that officers re-
| tired by the operation of this act will be
| so retired at the highest ages possible in
| their grades. and consequently with the
| greatest retired pay, the total cost of the
retired list of the army is computed to
eventually become $4,2S0. 800 per annum
| Under the present laws the total cost Of the
retired list is computed to eventually be-
| come $3,476.274. The cost of the retired
| list viii thus be increased by the proposed
act $S6a.025 But, by reason of the fact
that the officers of the active list will be
/ younger under the new arrangement, and
therefore drawing a less amount as in
creased pay for length OF service the cost
| of the active list will be reduced from So
1O4,02S to $S,S3S, 730, a reduction OF $288, 1888
| So that the net increase in the pay Of the
/ officers of the army will be 1857 82S
Although the bill thus falls short Of the
! best measure which might be imagined. It
Is believed to carry all that Is practicable
at the present time on account Of the wide
| ~ prevalent fear that It would not be pos
sibit to insure the selection OF officers for
promotion In general accordance with their
merit and 1t secures q very great Increase