The Washington times., 1911-01-26
BILL WILL PROVIDE ..
FOR MORE OFFICERS
Action of Committee In Re-
porting Favorably Pleases
Army Men.

Army officers are getting in some
measure nearer the goal for which they
have been striving, an iEcl eased force
of officers. While they will not get
legislation this session. they have the
satisfaction of seeing the bill for which
they have been contending ordered re-
ported out of the House Committee on
Military Affairs.
At a meeting of the committee, the
bill was threshed over. and it was final
ly decided to report it in amended form.
AS it comes out of committee it provides
for 400 additional officers instead of 6lj,
as in the original measure.
While Gen. Leonard Wood and other
army officers would like the full 61G ad-
ditional officers. there would be pretty
general satisfaction in the army with
the increase of officers to the number
of 400.
Retired Officers.
An important feature of the amended
bill is that a retired officer may be de-
tailed for any service other than with
troops in the field in actual campaigning.
Under the present law, retired officer
cannot be detailed TO any service eN-
cept with his consent. The effect OF the
proposed legislation on the retired Off
GERS would be great.
The fact that there is a small army of
retired officers, drawing a round salary
from the Government and doing nothing,
when they are in condition for service,
is not pleasing TO a good many members
of Congress. Some retired officers en-
gage in business of their own and make
money, though they draw pay from the
Government and have been educated at
the expense of the Government
If the proposed legislation should pass,
It would mean that any retired officer
who was fitted for it physically and
mentally, would be detailed to recruit
ing duty or to the position of instructor
in some of the colleges of the country,
or to some of the duties of less ardu-
Gus sort now turned over to active Of
For National Guard.
The National Guard will get a good
many OF the added officers if Congress
provides for them. One thing the
guard insists on is to have active Of
ficers The officers and men of the
guard DO not care to be instructed by
officers VINO are not fully up to date.
While it is, Of course, true that many
of the retired officers are fully abreast
of the latest developments of the mill
tary art, the guard organizations have
indicated in many ways their desire to
have active officers serve with them,
and Congress, which is paying more and
more attention to the guard is disposed
to respect this wish.
In fact, one of the chief sources of
strength for the additional officers bill
is the guard, which eXerts a powerful
influence in many of the States and is
therefore potent with Senators and Rep
reSentatives.
Five-Year Period.
1t is not the intention to add the extra
officers proposed all at once, but in
period of five years. The additions
would be made, first, from West Point
graduates; second, from enlisted men in
the regular service; third, from civil
fans.
In adding officers from civilian ma
terial, preference would be given those
who had served in the National Guard.
The need for more officers has been
many times dwelt on in the War De
partment reports and otherwise. 1t has
become so, through details to schools,
for recruiting, to the guard, as military
attaches in the diplomatic service, and
the like, that few companies, troops or
batteries have their full quota of Of
ficerS.
While no legislation will be had this
session, the favorable action of the
House Committee is encouraging to
army officers and guardsmen and they
will press hard for action in the long
session next December.