The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-06-19
131,4S5 NAVY
WINS IN HOUSE
Proposal to Create Rank Of
Lieutenant-General for
Marines Defeated.
FEAR EFFECT on CORPS
Representative Raps Promo
tiOn for Stay-at-Homes: More
Admirals Opposed.
FEAR EFFECT on CORPS
Special Despofch 10 THE srS.

WARRINGTON, June ls.-The House
to-day agreed to an amendment to the
81, 500. 100000 naval appropriation bill.
increasing the personnel from 07.0.J 10
-2sf.%S6 men, but at the same time de.
featsd q proposal to cfsats the rank Of
lieutenAnt-general for the Marine Corps
comma ndant and that OF major-general
for the corps stan ofiicers.
Chairman Padgett explained that un-
der the amendment the personnel. fixed
at 131.4s5. would mean an increase Of
commissioned officers to the number OF
$500 instead Of $500 as authorized un-
der the existing law. He added that we
would then be short 5000 officers on
the perna nent list instead OF 1900 as
at present.
Representative Miller. Republican
(Minn.). attacked Secretary Daniels ap-
peal for more Admir- ais, asking Mr.,
Padgett how many Admira!s would be
added
Mr.. Padgett replied that there would
be eighteen more Rear Admirals. Asked
by Mr. Miller II Captain could not
command fiotillas Of destroyers as we'll
as Admirais. Mr.. Padgett said that Cap
tains had been performing this duty
and might continue to do so but Secre-
tary Daniels had asked for more Admi-
rails.
Need OF Admirals.
Mr.. Britten pointed out that Ameri.
can torpedo boat squadrons in European
waters are serving under the command
Of Admiral Bailey Of the British navy,
and that an American Captain could not
supersede Admiral Bailey.
The fight against the promotion OF
the Marine Corps commandant was led
by Representative Butler (Pennsylva.
nia), who has q son in the service
charging that officers OF the Marine
Corps have been lobbying in Congress
for the amendment.
II want TO say" declared Mr.. But
Ter. that officers OF the military forces
have no business coming around the
Capitol and sitting in tho galleries while
measures affecting their standing are be.
Ing considered by the House."
Mr. Butler referred to Major-Gen.
Barnett. commandant OF the Marine
Corps. who was sitting in the House
gallery with Mrs Barnett.
In bringing up the amendment, which
was contained in the conference report
on the BILL Chairman Padgett assumed
no responsibility for it. He said he was
Of a divided mind. Secretary Daniels.
he said, had told the committee there
WAS no military necessity for the pro-
posed raise in rank for Gen. Barnett
THE splendid morale OF the Marine
~ ~
injustice" declared Mr.. Butler. "Why
should We increase the rank Of officers
who stay at home and take no part In
the actual fighting when We provide that
lesser ofiicers. II holding temporarily
higher rank than their regular grade
and rendered unht for service while
holding that higher rank. must be re.
tired at their regular graded rank?
Secretary Daniels has gone on record
that there 10 no military necessity fol
this. These stay at home marine officer,
are using all their personal and social
influence to get something Themselves
that 10 opposed BY the Secretary Of the
Navy"
Representatives oliver. Democra,
(Als.) and Meeker. Republican. defended
Gen. Barnett and urged the adoption ol
the amendment. Mr.. Oliver said that
Gen. Barnett had asked to be sent tc
the front.
The House defeated the amendment
- to ~. on . rising vote.
The House accepted the provision fol
plant at Indian Head. Nd. for the pro.
duction Of atmospheric nitrates At cost
OF Ss.l5o,000. On the defeat Of the
Barnett amendment the conference re,
port was disagreed to and sent back Il
conferencG