The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
Army Elimination.

Il is surprising to ind in the annual
report Of the Secretary OF War a renewal
Of his recommendation for legislation
the effect OF which will be the transfer
from active service OF the officers who
are unfit It is stil claimed, evidently,
that the existing facilities In that direc-
ton are insufficient. although it has been
quite apparent. and was admitted by
the military authorities themselves IN
a recent order issued on the subject,
that officers who are incapable OF per-
forming the duties devolving upon them
may be retired. whether the ineapacity
is in the form Of a physical defect or is
OF that more subtle order described as
''temperamental" II is easy TO imagine
the difficulty which the War Department
has encountered in past years in getting
rid Of officers who are VIGOROUSLY in
efficient, but who are sufficiently vigor-
Gus in a physical way BY virtue OF an
order recently issued. officers who are
recognized by their superiors as beinG
unfit for duty may be ordered before re-
firing boards. No limit is placed on the
number who may be subjected to this
discriminating scrutiny, and there is every
reason 20 expect that the identification Of
the incapable officers viii be complete
and the testimony of their unhtness win
be conclusive. Surely, no statute could
give greater relief than the departmental
policy impartially applied.
There has been a deal too much talk
in the army concerning the unftness OF
commissioned officers, and this has been
used as an argument in favor of legisla
ton which shall eliminate at the rate
OF so many year, as il unfitness Of
individuals was something 10 be regulated
by the flight OF time. The whole exploita-
ton Is merely a ruse to obtain legisla-
tive authority for creating vacancies for
the benefit Of those in junior place who
are. naturally enough, anxious TO be pro-
NOTED. The consideration OF tie inter
eSts of the service Is Of secondary i'm
portance to these advocates OF elimina-
ton. and the agitation has been harmful
within the service itself on account Of
the discomfort and suspicion and appre-
hension it has aroused. while the reputa-
ton of the army has been placed in
jeopardy. if not positively impaired. by
this careless and cesseleSs chatter con-
corning the large percentage OF commits
stoned officers who, despite their training
and promotion from one grade TO another,
are now discovered in the humiliating
position of WOrthlessness. Looking at
the subject from such point Of view. il
will be seen that the army gains moth
ing by advertising such a state OF ar
fairs. regardless OF the benefits ii is
hoped TO gain for those who may be ad-
vanced in rank.
As a matter of fact. it ought 10 be
pretty well recognized within the War
Department, and by the Secretary of
War, if he pays close attention TO
the military situation, that the govern
ment has ample means of getting rid OF
any officer who is not qualified to per
! form his duties There is no need Of in
voking special legislation TO that end or
loading up the retired nst with officers
who are o be maintained IN idleness that
the ficticn of increased military efficiency
may appear plausible.