Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-19
HOUSE DEFEATS
HIGHER RANK MOVE
Proposal to Make Marine Corps
Commandant Lieutenant-Gen-
eral Proves Unpopular.
ATTACKED IN BITTER DEBATE
Social and Political Propa-
ganda for Benefit of Rocking
Chair Warriors" Alleged.

WAsHINGTON. June lS.-The House
TO day. BY Il vote Of nearly two to one.
defeated the proposal 10 raise the com
mundant of the marine corps to the
rank Of a lieutenant general and to
create the rank or major-general for
TWO of his staff officers. The vote was
73 to a. on rejection of the confer
ence report on the naval appropriation
bill. containing this provision as SEN
ate amendment.
The amendment providing a perma-
ncnt increase in the enlisted strength
OF the navy to l3l.is5, was adopted
without opposition.
Ma jor General Barnett. for whom the
high rank of lieutcnant-gencral was
intended. was seated with his wife in
the Speakers gallery throughout the
angry debate which preceded the vote.
In another gallery sat number of his
staff officers. Members charged that a
social ind political propaganda" had
been at work TO create these new posi-
tioRs for the marine corps commanders;
that the men who would benefit by
the increase were rocking chair war
riors." and that they should have been
court-martaled for lobbying for the
proposal after II had been disapprovcd
by the Secretary of the Navy.
Mckenzie. of Illinois, went so far as
10 charge that it WAS an attempt by
the officers stationed in Washington to
win high rank for themselves on ac-
count of what the marines in the ranks
have done in France.
keating. OF Colorado. in vigorous
attack on the measure, asserted that
General Barnett and his associates
were rocking chair warriors" and told
the members of the House they would
make Laughing stocks" of themselves
ii they voted for the increase in rank
WIN PROMOTION BY
STAYING IN WASHINGTON
IF YOU do this thing" shouted Kcat-
ing, the word will go forth that the
way to win promotion In the marine
corps is not to so to the front, but to
stay here in Washington and exert So
cial and political pull TO get it over.
The Secretary OF the Navy is against
this increase of pay and rank, and.
Notwithstanding that. these officers.
who should have been court martialed
for going over the head of the chief of
the navy, have nterceded with menr-
bcrs of Congress TO put this amend
mcnt in
The House has seldom witnessed
more bitter debate than that waged
over the amendment. Fadgett. of Ten
nessec. chairman OF the committee. re-
fused to take any part in 1t, and sub
mitted the proposal 10 the House with
out any recommendation whatever, say
ing he would leave 1t entirely to the
judgment OF the House.
.FATHER- OF MARINE CORPS
OPPOSES PROPOSAL
Butler of Pennsylvania. a member Of
tho naval committee and father of Col
onel Smcdley Butler. of the marine
corps, now in France. was the chief op-
ponent of the proposed increase of
rank He read the testimony of Sec
rctary Daniels before the committee in
opposition TO It.
Butler was so vehement in his objec-
iion to the measure. that he threatened
to withdraw from the Naval Affairs
Committee if it should go through. He
accused General Barnett and his staff
officers OF conducting propaganda for
the amendment. and said il was unfair
TO the men who are doing the fighting
in France.
1T is merely 10 benefit men who are
ton. who have never been to the front |
and never viii he sent" Butler said.
They are now sitting in the gallery
waiting TO see the thing go through"
Mckenzie inquired Of Butler whether
General Barnett had ever done any
thing 10 warrant such an increase in
rank. Butler replied that Barnett had
accomplished wonders as commandant
Of the marines, and had perfected the
organization in commendahle man
aer. He insisted, however. that Barnett
had performed no services in the field
which could justify such promotion.
Britten Ull!nois). Flood (NirSinia).
Oliver (Alabama) and Mccker pleaded
for the amendment, but on rising vote
it was rejected.
Padgett told the House that the in
crease in the enlisted strength will
mean a total OF $500 officers. He said
it would take eight years TO graduate
;hat many from the academy. TIE
present bill provides for 1870 temporary
officers. including eighteen rear al
miralS.