The Washington times., 1908-09-15
Cowie Prepares Bill to Pro-
vide for Men Overlooked
by House in April.
SEEK SAME RATIO
GRANTED TO OTHERS
Major Generals and Rear Admirals
Ask Increase Not Covered in
Dick-Capron Measure.

Major generals. brigadier generals. /
.Olonels. lieutenant colonies. and majors
n the army. and men OF the same rel !
alive rank i'm the other branches Of
The military service, are out after an
increase in pay.
These ranking officers were over
looked when the service pay bill, grant
ing an Increase was passed at the last
session of Congress, and they hope 20
x. theirs this time.
Pay Director Cowie, OF the navy, who
was lobbyist, author. and in general
charge of the increased pay bill. has
prepared another bill. TO be presented
ss soon as Congress meets, which is for
the purpose OF carrying out such pro
vision eg p5e Dick-Caprop bin as were
not enacted ~ re last session
The high ranking officers OF every
branch Of the service are much inter
ested in the new bill and all express
the hope that IL will be passed. Many
or them commented upon it today, but
not one or them would say word TO
be used over his signature.
Officers Refuse to Talk.
At the offices OF the pay department
OF both the army and navy, the Off
Gals would not even authorize a state
ment that any such bill was contem-
plated. but they made their position
plain. by stating THAI they could not
now make any authorized statement
relative TO the bill.
The bill, and all the details Of its
provisions and presentation nave oe 1T
left entirely TO Pay Director COwie. lie
is at present at the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, and from what can be
learned. Is busily engaged on the bill
lie has consulted with officers OF the
army and Marine Corps. and IL IS
understood the new bill will have the
Endorsement of the President and the
Secretaries Of War and Navy.
The bill providing for service pay
increase as passed at the last session
Of Congress gave the increase asked for
AL officers from the grade OF captain
down, but the officers above that rank
were not provided for. They are re
ceivinS the same pay today they We're
years ago. and all OF them nave OUT
stretched arms and an emblaZoned sign
on their countedauces welcome for an
increase.
Lost in Old Bill
The Dill passed last year in the
original form drawn by Pay Director
Covie gave the same percentage Of in
crease to officers above The rank Of
captain as to those below that grade.
and this increase received the sanction
OF the executive departments and OF
the President but +. failed of approval.
The Senate passcI he bill as IL was
submitted. but the House struck out the
increase for officers above the grade Of
captain. Now the officers above the
rank OF captain are busily fishing for
their half OF the loaf that was lost in
the shuttle of the getaway at the last
session.
Paymaster Cowle said at Annapolis
that he believed a rair increase would
be obtained and bis bill Will give the
following pay for officers Of the army
and all officers of corresponding rank
in other services. Navy. Marine Corps,
Revenue Cutter SNsNice, and Marine
Hospital Service, where the pay has
been the same as provided FOR officers
ci the army.
Lieutenant General Less.
General. S1I.S0O
Lieutenant general. $1,000 mo, quite
IL per cent increased; major generals
and all officers OF corresponding rank
and all chiefs OF bureaus, $500; brigs-
der generals, 5000. and the base pay
OF colonel. $1,000. Lieutenant, $3.50 and
ma jOr. 5000, with an increase Of 10 per
cent for each period OF five years serv-
ice. which increase is not TO exceed A
per cent on the base pay. Retired pay
is TO be based on the pay provided by
this bin. All active service, whether be-
fore or after retirement. is to be con-
sidered in computing longevity pay
Niidshipmen are TO be commissioned en-
signs upon graduation from the Nava,
Academy at the end OF their fOur-yeaI
course. The bill Will also equalize and
endeavor to adjust eqUitably all pay
for the United Services