Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-08
The World Wide War Trust

Z terAs ana II contractors having lo4 -
dealing with a department OF the gov
eminent can take into its employ
ment. with no limit as 10 compensa-
/ ton. officials OF that department, and
through them learn the secrets and
I purposes OF the department. and.
moreover. ins.diously influence its &C
ton. great injury may result 10 the
public service. The fundamental prin-
ciple upon which all legitimate bust
ness f. transacted-that each side
shall be represented solely By persons
wholly devoted 20 its own interests
o. viciousiy violated by custom
which allows one side 10 take into is
/ pecuniary employment a representa-
I tive OF the other side.
An Effort was made In the debate
20 draw a distinction between officers
on the active list and officers on the
retired list. The committee deny
that any well founded distinction ex-
lists which ought 20 influence the de
clsion OF the question. Retired on
. GERS % the navy remain officers 20 all
fntcnts and purposes. with an import
ant exception Section 1852 Of the Re
viscd Statutes provides that no ON
Ger on the retired list o. the navy
shall be employed on active duty ex-
cspt IN time % war.
But Notwithstanding this statute
ercmpts retired officers from all obi
cation 20 render any service for the
liberal retired pay which they receive
for life. amounting usually TO three
fourths o. their active duty pay. yet
they remain a part Of the navy OF the
tsulted States. available IN any emer-
Eeucy % war They are entitled 90
wear their uniforms on public occa-
si6rs and are allowed free access 10
every bureau % the navy department
on the theory that they are still ready
f1 serve tho interests % the govern
meut by fidelity. sound advice. and
an earnest spirit o. devotion 10 pub
l.c duty. 10 is quite enough 20 allow
such officers 20 enter into ordinary,
private employment for compensa-
ton To permit them 10 take sides
against the government and 20 enter
into the employ % contractors having
dealings with the government reach
uE 10 millions Of dollars viii certainly.
10 tho custom continues. become most
peruirious and injurious 20 the public
Interests. Proclaim that such officers
mas ar 20 employed by repeating the
clause which has now become law.
aud % bold and wealthy contractor.
willing 20 spend enough money 10 take
into hiz employ sufficient number
% naval officers on the active and ~
tired list would be able thoroughly 10
weaken the department In its dealings
with such contractor and 60 put the
government az his mercy IN making
bargains. which would be substantially
% one side alone conducting an the
entered into pith The representative I
negotiations.
General Humphrey is one of the
most distinguished OF our officers. as /
the following from Who's Who. 1914. /
Wili show.
Humphreys. Charles Frederic;
Major general United States army;
born. New York. september .. 1874;
private. corporal. sergeant and first
sergeant Company r. Fifth artillery.
March n. 1853 20 June IS 1856; com .
maud. second Lieutenant Fifth artii-
lery May s. 1856. transferred 10 the
Fourth artillery October %. 1866.
first Lieutenant. MAY II. 1865. gradual
"a Artillery school. 1874; captain.
assistant quartermaster. June %.
1879. major quartcrmaster. Deem .
Der n. 1899. Lieutenant colonel. deputy
Continued on Fase seveaJ