Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-31

, for recruits for the infantry, which
has an authorized strength of 10000.
The latest available figures show that
| not more than $4,000 are serving in
that branch.
First steps toward the promotion
of the recently appointed officers of
the regular Army. as well as grad
Academy whose appointments date
from July 2, 1920. may be taken be-
fore the close of the year, in the opin-
ION OF oHiecers on duty in the War
department. 1t is anticipated that
practically all officers commissioned
Will nave been promoted to first heu-
tenant, leaving vacant the authorized
strength in second lieutenants, to the
number of 1884. Following the ap-
polntments resulting from the Octo-
per examinations of officer candi-
pected to order examinations for ap-
polntment to the grade of second
lieutenants. In the Offices of chiefs
OF branches tentative plans and sug-
gestions for securing material for
the junior grade are under considera-
formulated into recommendations
The chiefs of branches are facing a
situation due to the shortage of Off
GERS, which they desire to overcome
at the earliest possible moment, and
they are doing everything within
their power to obtain reliable infor-
nation about persons who desire to
make the Army a career. The short
age of officers is aggravated, it is
pointed out, through numerous de-
tails to special duty and the large
percentage of the newly appointed Of
ficers who have been ordered to the
various service schools. If the in
f1uence of the chiefs of branches lis
effective, it may confidently be ex-
pected that there will be little delay
in setting into motion effective ma
chinery in the War Department for
bringing the permanent commissioned
strength of the Army up to the maxi
mum allowed by law before the year
1921 is a month old.
Discharge OF Emergency Omcers.
The War Department, in a recent
communication addressed to the COM
handing generals of corps areas and
chiefs of all branches Of the service.
called attention to the fact that, as
there are still approximately 5000
emergency officers in the service and
the law requires their discharge not
later than December 81, 1920, vigor-
Gus action is necessary to adjust con-
ditions so that these officers may be
promptly discharged. Since prac-
lar Army, with the exception of the
tenders which will follow the exam
nations now being held, have been
made, commanding officers now
know what officers must be dispensed
with and they should gradually adj
just their forces to the new condi-
lions. to prevent a sudden disarrange-
ment at a future date and also to pre-
vent failure in accomplishing dis
charge due to later congestion in the
War Department. Emphasis was laid
on the fact that the present Regular
Army personnel must be relied upon
after December 81, 1920; consequently
a readjustment should not be delayed
until that date. Recommendation
for discharge of emergency officers
will be submitted at once through
channels. except for officers in hos
pitfalls undergoing physical recon-
struction. for candidates for appoint
ment examined in July whose eases
have. not yet been disposed OF, for
candidates now undergoing exam
nations who have received formal
authorization to be examined. and for
officers whose retention to later
date was specifically authorized
Recommendations will state the ear