The sun., 1916-02-06
ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE.
Secretary Garrison Explains the Pro.
visions and Intent Of the Hay Bill.

VISIONS ana Intent OF the Hay Bill.
To THE EDITOR or THE SUS-Sir: In
THE SuS Of January 81, 1915. there
is an editorial article entitled The
Army Medical Reserve Corps" As this
article is based upon what believe to
be a misunderstanding Of Mr.. Hays
bill, / am bringing it to your attention
in this way in order to correct false
impression which has been made con-
cern!ng "A most important and meri-
torious provision.
From a careful reading OF this part
OF Mr. Hays bin 1, will be seen that
the Army Medical Reserve Corps
passes out In name only. and reap
pears under the name and as a part
of the Officers Reserve Corps.
The new Officers Reserve Corps ex-
tends the system OF reserve TO all
parts Of the army and absorbs the
Medical Reserve Corps. The present
law allows these men to be appointed
only in the grade Of first lieutenant.
The proposed bill allows them to be
appointed as first lieutenants, captains
and majors. and insures their being
used in time OF war.
The only provision OF the proposed
sections which might be construed as
less favorable to the individuals rights
than the existing law Is that which
requires them 10 come To active SER
vice In time OF war when called by the
President. whereas under existing law
they have the right TO refuse TO re-
Spond TO the call at this vital moment
II they so desire. Inasmuch as these
reserve officers are formed ostenslbly
as Federal asset In time Of war, II
cannot bee argued that such a pro-
vision is unnecessary. II they are not
serious in their intentions when they
join the Medical Reserve Corps they
are a broken staff upon which to lean
and form no real reserve. II they are
serious and enter the service with the
.dea Of helping the Government in
time Of need, then they surely cannot
object to provision by which the
Government !s legally assured that
they win respond in time OF war when
called.
The provision that tho life Of the
Medical Reserve Corps shaN be pro-
lonCed one year and at the end of that
time shall cease was made with the
.ded that the present Medical Reserve
Corps should not exist alongside a
similar ORGANIZATION. and N order 20
give the personnel time 10 transfer to
the new organization.
The Medical Reserve Corpe now
consists of about / 500 officers. whereas
the med.,a! department II the army
aeiieycs that there should bo available
80 - ha
medical officer who transfers from the
Medical Reserve Corps t. the officers
Reserve Corps of the m~l.ca, depart
nent changes his status a. a reserve
officer ~ the regular army in no way.
except that the higher rank therein
may he attained. HIS condition IS
greatly improved and the only thing
that he loses = tho right TO refuse 10
come when called IN time of war He
Is st.i reserve officer u the regular
army. II" Officers Reserve Corps
forms no part of tho continental army.
10 some appear To believe but is a
separate and indepenCSnt part ~ the
proposed enlarged military forces Of
The nation.
II would tc most unfortunate 70
have this proposed measure m.sunder-
stood AZ ths critica! time. when the
Government = endeavorinC 20 lay
sound foundations upon which To de-
velop the resources of tho nation, both
n personnel and material. there
fore hope you will make . correct
statement of this question and give
~ your assistance IN putin: through
this most impor'iu' and necessary
provision for an Officers Reserve
Corps I'SuLEY VI GARRIsoS.
Secretary ~ War.
WAsUi>sro~. II g, February !