Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-08-18
PRESIDENT DOES
NOT APPROVE SOME
FEATURES OF BILL
Returns Army Appropriation
Bill to House Without His
Signature
EXEMPTION OF RETIRED
OFFICERS BAD SYSTEM
Chairman Hay at Once Rein
troduced Bill Minus This
Clause

Washington, Aug. 1S.-President Will
son today vetoed the army appropria-
tion bill. His action resulted from n
provision in the bill exempting retired
army Officers from liability to service
and discipline under the articles of war.
The exemption provision itself grew
out of objections made by certain re-
tired officers when askd to serve fol-
lowing the outbreak of the Mexican
trouble at recruiting offices and mus
tering stations.
The action today will mean that at
least this provision of the bill will!
have to be changed and may precipi-
tate a struggle over the entire appro.
priations measure that might result in
prolonglng congress. The objection
able feature was kept in the bill by
the persistence of Chairman Hay of tle
house military committee
Chairman Hay of the house military
committee fathered the exemption plan
and succeeded in keeping it in the bill,
despite the fight made on it by Sec
retary Baker.
In his veto messageLto congress, the
president suggested constitutional
objection to such exemption. So long
as retired officers are continued in
their status as members of the United
States army, he said, they cannot un.
der the constitution be relieved from
obedience to the president.
Retired, But Still Officers
The message expresses doubt that
the majority of retired officers would
q N a -. Al l..
Congress to pass the bill over his
veto must muster two third vote and
with the arrival of the message at the
house today the general belief is that
this cannot be done. The action OF
the president, however, is deemed like
ly to delay adjournment to some extent
Within one hour after the veto reach.
ed the house, Chairman Hay reintroduc
ed the measure, minus any mention OF
the articles of war.
The veto message declares. cit is
with genuine reluctance" taat the
president returns the bill, which he
describes as wisely and generously pro,
viding for national defense.
''The existing articles of war arc
undoubtedly archaic,N says the mes
sage. ''They have not undergone re-
vision for more than 100 years. =
/ therefore, the more keenly regret to
find in the revision of the articles OF
war provision to which | cannot give
my approval" "
1t cites long list OF rulings to saow
that retired army officers hold public
office and are not "mere pensioners
from whom no further service is ex
pected. They wear the uniform
of the army, their education and ser
vice hold them out as persons espe
cially qualified in military matters tC
represent the spirit of the military es
tablishment, and they are subject ia
military duty in time of national emer
gency by the mere order of the com
mander in chief.
An Unwise Provision
''I am persuaded that officers upon
the retired list would themselves re
gard it as an invidious and unpalatable
discrimination, which, in effect, ex
cluded them from full membership il
the profession to which they have de
voted their lives and of watch by the
laws of their country they are still
members. So long as congress sees fiji
to make the retired personnel par
of the army of the United States, thu
constitutionality Of the proposed ex
emption of such personnel from all II
ability with the article of war is ;
matter of serious doubt, leaving thu
president, as it does, without any
means sanctioned by statute Of exercis
ing over the personnel thus exempted
I a. 4 l.. =.