Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-01


ent the matter is held in allegiance
The tentative provision for an army med
icel supply table, sent out from the sur.
geon generals office to officers of the CORPS
for their examination and remark, will be
Incorporated in the new edition Of the man
ual Of the medical department with com
paratvey few changes. The new table IL
a revision Of that published in 1906. since
which time there have been occasional ad-
ditions OF such drugs as were new in the
progress of medicine 1t has been decided
by the surgeon general Of the army to sub
stitute acetylene for alcohol and especially
Tor coal oil for heating sterilizers at post
hospitals. trial of the substitute has
met with such success at Fort Jay, N. Y.
as to justify its extension. It has also besn
decided by General Torney TO adopt a new
slipper for wear In army hospitals. This
footgear will be practical reproduction of
the Filipino chinela, a very light leather
sole with top over the toe only
The general staff Of the War depart-
ment has before II the proposition OF the
secretary OF war, who contemplates SEEK
ing legislation in the matter, authorizing
the stoppage of pay in the case Of an
listed men Of the army who are rendered
unfit for duty on account of alcoholism
and certain other diseases. 1t IL believed
that by this means the tendency 20 ex-
cesses leading to disabilities which are
not contracted in line of duty, may be
EFFECTIVELY checked. At the same time. II
Is realized that the plan is open to crlti-
clsm ana It may easily encounter opposi-
uon In congress as placing in the hands
OF the military authorities, or resting with
nf e.
which II not misused, may readily lead 10
dispute and complaint and SO constituta =
grievance. Under existing circumstances
stoppage of pay can only be Accomplished
oy sentence Of court martial under which
conditions the object Of discipline has a
right to be heard in his own defense.
III might be possible to suspend pay. but
there are legal methods by which a soldier
may overcome that proceeding; while. II is
appreciated that suspension of pay will
not have the same wholesome effect In
the direction desired as stoppage OF nav
The subject is now receiving careful CON
sideration and in view of the obtectionv
which have been cited, It may be decided
that 1t is not project for which leRisIa.
ton should be requested.
An important clause in the bill Is. 1920,
to increase the efficiency Of the army re-
ported from the house military committee
this week with amended text is that which
provides that hereafter any retired officer
OF the army may be assigned to active
duty as specified; that any such officer
refusing to perform the duties imposed
upon him shall be mustered out Of Tins
army and that such officers while 50
assigned shall receive the full nav and
allowances Of their respective grades. Tn,
comment OF the committee, Il will be noted
discloses the opinion In that quarter thai
this provision will result In a ynuct
larger number Of retired officers helms
compelled to perform duty and thus civ,
turther relief from the pressure on tn,
active list" One result OF the provision
II enacted into law, win be TO repeal exist
ing statute which provides Cact OF Marc,
2 1900 that retired officers above tn,
grade Of major assigned to active dut,
shall receive their full retired pay and n,
further pay or allowances, and (act q
June IL, 1900 that a colonel or lieutenan
| colonel assigned to active duty shall re
ceive the same pay and allowances as
retired major would receive under a Xix
assignment. This existing law was eyi
Z IDENTIFY overlooked by the committee "a
calling the purposes OF congress In II
. action embodied in the laws of 1905 an
q 1906. As matter OF fact there are feu
= II any retired officers, not now on dut,
y who are available for service as a mean
h OF relief such as is contemplated by m
n committee.