The Washington herald., 1916-08-08
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
In Washington

The War Department has been re-
quested by Capt. A. G. Anderson, of the
Minnesota National Guard, for quarters
for his family at Fort Smelling during his
absence with his regiment on the border
He contends that he has wife and four
small children to care for, besides Civ
ing up his practice in his home town,
and adds that this affair is going TO be
very hard for myself and family"
The fact that Capt. Anderson has no
duties 10 perform at Fort Smelling makes
it practically impossible to assign him
quarters for his family at that post. He
is not entitled to have such quarters for
[ use OF his family as a matter of right
However, he might, Is an officer of the
army. be permitted. as matter Of
courtesy, and without legal objection, to
use any public quarters at the post not
required for assignment 10 officers as of
right.
The heat and light allowance would not
be allowed, and, like any other officer
he would have TO give up the quarters
when they are needed for regular assign
ment. The Secretary OF War has in
formed Capt. Anderson, however. that
as the regular troops assigned TO Fort
Smelling are absent on temporary duty
only and may return to their proper sta
tion at any time" ii is not deemed ad-
NlSdDie 10 grant MS request
The Comptroller OF the Treasury has
announced a decision 10 the effect that
retired officers OF the army detailed to
active duty under the provisions of the
act OF June g. 1916 are not entitled to
any higher pay in the grade than that
they would have attained in due course
OF promotion. il they had remained on the
active list. than the pay OF such higher
grades computed on the length Of their
service at the date OF their retirement
The decision Of the Comptroller is as
follows:
(a) Is 'etired officer entitled to count
the time served by him under a detail
10 active duty for the purpose of in
crease of longevity pay independent Of
whether or not the period OF such aftive
duty has been of sufficient duration to
have entitled him TO promotion had he
remained on the active list for a period
beyond the date OF his retirement equal
10 the total period Of his active SER
vice?
Cb) Is a retired officer, whose total
period Of service under detail TO active
duty has been OF sufficient duration to
have entitled him TO promotion had he
remained on the active list for a similar
period from the date of his retirement.
IhNiIlVN " NONlll AhS ItlION Va SANll az
tive-duty service for the purpose OF in
crease of longevity pay,
The decision reviewed at length the
various laws relative TO the employment
of retired officers on active duty and
comes to the conclusion that the appar-
ent purpose of the act of June 3. 1916, is
to provide only for the promotion OF
certain grades Of officers on the retired
list Of the army, who have been or shall
be detailed TO active duty, and to give
them the rank, pay. and allowances Of
the higher grade He says:
The provision is that If they have been
or shall be detailed on active duty since
their retirement for a period OF time
which. II they had remained on the ac-
tive list of the army. would have en-
titled them to promotion i'll due course
to a grade not above that Of major. they
shall be entitled to the rank, pay and
allowances of such higher grade.
The act of juno 3, 1915. makes no men
ton of longevity increase of pay. The
act of March , 1903. provides that off,
GERS thereafter retired, except those r--
tired on account OF wounds received in
battle. shall not be allowed or paid any
further increase Of longevity pay above
that which had accrued at date Of their
retirement. The act of June 3. 1916. does
not expressly or BY necessary implica-
ton repeal or modify any part Of the