The Washington times., 1914-02-15
CIVIL AND OTHER PEN
SIONS.

The Senate has, passed a bill to
create the rank of vice admiral in
the United States navy, in order that
our navy, in case of cooperation
with the maritime establishments of
other countries, may have a chance,
at least, of maintaining its dignity.
Naval operations nowadays are
largely by way of international
policing duty, in which commonly
forces of several countries unite. In
such cases tine senior officer of high
est rank among the cooperating
forces is placed in command. That
rule. a perfectly proper one, works
to the disadvantage of the United
States because our highest sea-going
rank is that of rear admiral, subordi-
nate to vice admiral. Most countries
maintain the rank Of vice admiral,
and it has on various occasions been
! pointed out that the commander cf a
! Haitian steam yacht of ancient vint-
age, constituting the naval power Ct
that interesting republic, would out
rank anv American officer with
whom he might chance to be brought
into cooperation.
So the grade of vice admiral is to
he created, and six appointments
made to it. On the whole it seems
q very sensible and proper thing to
do. We are paying out plenty of
money to retired naval differs to in
sure that our national dignity ought
to be maintained, If it can be done by
so easy device as the mere legis-
lative creation of a rank.
But particular interest attaches
to one phase of the discussion in the
Senate, on this proposal. The liber-
ality of the Government with retired
pay for naval officers has been a sub
Ject of comment many times. 10
draw attention 20 this fact is not to
criticise it. Men who give their best
years TO the Governments service,
and forfeit the possibility OF any 9TH
er career than that which the navy
offers them, ought to be well provid-
; ed for. To that we all agree readily
enough; the more, because the sal
aries paid these officers are very
moderate, as are all salaries IL Gov
ernment service.
But sauce for the Government
goose might we'll nave the favor OF
sauce for the Government ganGer
Everything that is said in defense
Of liberal retired pay for the naval
and army people, applies with equal
force to the civil service employees
Of the Government.
Senator Bristow read to the Sen
ate list showing that last year
there were 2L0 rear admirais on the
retired list of the navy-drawing
the retired pay of that rank. There
were forty-nine comnodores, 1G2
captains, 100 commanders, sixty
three lieuterant commanders, scv-
enty-nine lieutenants, sixtv-one lieu
tenants of junior grade, lie en-
signs, and 123 warrant officers.
The striking fact which Mr.. Rris-
tow read into the record is thai the
retired pay of this long list of re-
tired officers aggregated, for that
year, no less sum than $2,89S,9JI.
Once more bc it iterated, calling
attention to the use of :;3,900,0G0 a
year in maintaining this establish
ment of some 800 retired navy men
does not suggest criticism. Bat the
contras. between the treatment of
the naval officers and the civil serv-
ice employees is certainly impressive.
Why should naval Officer, edu-
Gated at Government expense, main
tanned in the fine, dignified position
of a distinguished profession ard Il
social favorite, b. given 50 rrch
consideration whi!e nothing what
ever is done to provide security. in
advanced years, to the people who
serve the same Government il other
capacities?
The retired list of the navy is full
cf people Who never heard the noise
or smelled the smoiIc Of battle. 1t is
sheer nonsense to irsist that any es-
snntial factor iifferentlatcs the naval
from the civil sert ice Of the Govern
mcnt. The average expectation %
life of u naval officer is not much in
terfered with hy the prospect that he
will have to &c TO war and be shot
full of holes.
4 modest fraction of the sum
which we give in rctired nav each
year to naval officers would be
ample to establish and carry on the
Governments participation in COM
prehensive scheme of pensions and
annuities for aged civil service en-
gloves. Creation Of that system
would en:.blc a reoIgaEiz2tio Of the
general conditions Of the civil sew
ice. Promotions would be made easier
when deserved; the prospect of real