The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-23
ARMY OFFICERS
 RETIRED TOO FAST Subject Aired in the House by
 MT. Prince SHIP SUBSIDY BILL UP Gilbert of Kentucky Declares That the American Merchant Marine Is
 Now the Finest In the
 World.

Washington, February 22.-The House of Representatives refused to adjourn in celebration of Washington's birthday, and it's members participated in general field day of debate on the army appropria- tion bill.
 The speeches took wide range. First, the system of promoting and retiring army officers was attacked by MT. Prince of Illinois, who elicted many interjected remarks from members in disapproval of the methods for which he said the President and Senate were responsible, and which he pointed out had resulted in a retired list costing yearly $2,70O,00O, consisting of officers who, he said were holding the flag in one hand, while the other was in the treasury for money that had never been earned.
 An exhaustive discussion of ship sub sidy was made by MT. Gilbert of Ken lucky, who declared the American mer- chant marine is now the finest of any nation and included 1S6 Morgan ships un der the British and German flags. In case of war, he said, their only protec- tion would be the United States wherein belonged their owners and the capital invested.
 MT Clarke of Florida, made speech against the house organization, and was replied to by MT. Grosvenor of ohio
 The day concluded with a lively discus sion of the Payne customs house bill
 Prince Is First Speaker
 MT. Prince of Illinois. was the first speaker. He mentioned the fact that there was half a million persons under the direct control of the President; 300,000 un- der civil service; 60,000 in the army 4O. GOO in the navy and marine corps; 70,000 postmasters, and fully 25O0O not classi- fled. All estimates for appropriations on which Congress acts come from this great army of employees It was too much to expect the President to make personal scrutiny of these estimates.
 Referring to the question of the retire ment of officers and the abolition of the grade of lieutenant general, MT. Prince criticised the system by which it was possible to have such a large number of officers on the retired list. With an army of 60,0O0, he said, there were now 9G3 officers on the retired list drawing an average of $3O00 a year or a total of $2.70O,00O. Asked as to the rank of these officers, MT. Prince said there were three lieutenant generals, twenty-one major generals, 245 brigadier generals and sev enty-six colonels, seventy lieutenant col onels 226 majors, siXty-nine captains, ffty-fve first lieutenants, eleven second lieutenants, sixteen chaplain majors, eleven chaplain captains. There had been sixty-two brigadier generals who served for one day In that rank and were then retired from January l, 1902 to January l, 19o5.
 Moving Picture Will Continue.
 ''In answer" he concluded, T am in clined to think the moving picture is go- ing on today at the same rate" Up to 1895 Ar. Prince said there had been but four lieutenant generals, Washington, Grant, Sherman and Sheridan all of whom became full generals. Since 1895 there had been five lieutenant generals. Schofeld, Miles, Young, Chaffee and Bates He favored the provision of the bill abolishing this rank. Reverting to the statement regarding the 62 brigadier generals, MT. Palmer, of Pennsylvania, asked
 How does this happen?'
 "Well, it happens. These men serve for one day and get retirement at the higher rank and pay"
 Well, who is responsible?"
 'I should say primarily congress"
 'Is there a law for that?'
 "The President does it-the senate. con firms his action.'
 What are you going to do about it?' Require officers to serve at least one year in the grade to which they are pro- noted before retirement and abolish the grade of liutenant general"
 "One days service was giving unearned money to these officers continued MT. Prince "All officers have to do is to mark time, knowing they will be retired at a higher rank"
 "The gentleman, it seems to me, has shown here very outrageous abuse of power and privilege on the part of sone one.'' interJected MT. Lawrence, of Mas sachusetts
 '.Who is 1t makes the promotions?" he asked.
 "The President has the right and is the