New-York tribune., 1919-07-19
Wilson Urges Congress to
Make Wartime Rating
of Staff and Field Army
Heads the Same in Peace
Includes Benson and Sims
Rep. Blanton Sarcasticallv
Suggests That Presidents
Job Be Made Permanent

WASHINGTON, July 1S.-Permanent
ranks of general in the regular army
for General Pershing and General
March, chief of staff, and permanent
ranks of admiral in the navy for Rear
Admiral Sims and Admiral Benson,
chief of operations, were asked of
Congress to-day by President Wilson.
The Presidents message follows:
81 take the liberty of calling your
attention to a matter which I am
sure is at the heart of the whole
country, and which l have had very
much in mind throughout all these
months when we were trying to ar
range a peace that would be worthy
of the spirit and achievements Of
the men who won the victory in the
field and on the sea.
Recommends Permanent Rank
"After mature reflection, ear
nestly recommend that you give the
permanent rank of general to John
j. Pershing and Peyton C. March,
expressing the law in such a way as
to give precedent to General Per-
shng; and that you give the per-
manent rank of admiral to William
S. Benson and William S. Sims.
~ take it for granted that l am
only anticipating your own thought
in proposing these honors for the
men upon whom the principal re-
sponsibilities devolved for achieving
the great results which our incom-
parable navy and army accom-
plshed.'
The rank of general which Pershing
and March now hold exist only in the
emergency army, rapidly being dis
banded. While in supreme command
Rear Admiral Sims had the rank of q
full admiral, but recently went back
to lower grade. Admiral Benson is
soon to retire, after taking the navy
through the war as chief of operations.
Friction Is Ignored
No one in Washington would venture
if the Presidents recommendations
bore any relation to the long reported
friction between Pershing and March
Friends of both men, however, anxious
ly have been waiting to see what
permanent rank would be given them
There is no official recognition of fric-
ton between the two generals, but
army circles on the inside fairly teen
with it.
AS talk in army circles has it, Gen
eral Pershing felt that many Of his
Recommendations from France ran a
tortuous course after reaching the
chief of staff, and the chief of staff
had some feeling on remaining in
Washington during the war, as to
whether the commanding general of
the army or the chief Of staff bore the
credit for its operations.
No one, however, officially sponsors
the reports of the row.
Both Are Applauded
When the Presidents message was
Fead to the House, members rising
from their seats greeted the name of
General Pershing with applause. Gen
eral Marchs name was applauded by
some members, while others shouted
mo, no." Mention of both Admirals
Benson and Sims also was followed by
applause, but only the Democrats ap-
plauded when the reading clerk an
nounced the signature Of "Woodrow
Wilson"
Would it be in order to move
amendment of the message by making
Woodrow Wilson the permanent Presi-
dent of the United States," inquired
Representative Blanton, Democrat, of
Texas
A series of "booes" from Republi-
cans, hiss and a shout make him
Gar" answered the Texas member.
Speaker Gillett referred the message
to the Military and Naval committees
for consideration.