The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-20
FIGHT OVER SERVICE PAY.
House Probably Will Grant Increase to
Army as Well as Naval Men.

WASHINGTON, March 20-A bitter
fight waged in the house yesterday after
noon over the question of increasing the
pay of officers and enlisted men in the
army and navy The contest developed
when the committee on rules submitted
special rule for appointment of confer
ees to iron out differences between the
measures passed by house and senate,
which because of interference of house
leaders opposed to general pay increase
have been hanging fire tor two months.
Republicans and Democrats declared
that if the rule were adopted men in the
army would get no pay increases what
soever at this session and that only en-
listed men and non-commissIoned officers
in the navy would benefit. Crago OF
Pennsylvania, Republican, led the fight
against the rule, asserting that house
leaders, before permitting it to come before
the house, had reached an understanding
with senate leaders that the senate con-
ferees would recede so far as increasing
the pay of army men, public health ser
vice officers and coast guard officers was
concerned. The bill as passed by the
house, known as the Kelley bill, increased
only the pay of enlisted men and non
commissioned officers in the navy Inc
senate so amended the bill that 1t IN
creased the pay OF officers as well as
men in the army, public health and coast
guard services as well as the navy. House
leaders are opposed to a general increase
and because OF this knowledge the con-
test became intense yesterday. Mr.. Crago
natly charges that if the rule were
adopted only a certain group in the navy
would benefit and that in no way would
1t be possible TO give financial assistance
to the men in the other services who need
helm as badly as do the navy men. lie
said. and his statement was received with
considerable respect, that if the rule were
adopted the house leaders would lind a
way to keep all other legislation of tins
kind off the floor until after adjournment
Majority Leader Mondell, who mas beer
most active in opposing pay increase leg
islaton replied that the reason the house
conferees should consider only an IN
crease for men in the navy was that the
house had not formally considered increas
ing the pay Of the men in the other ser.
vices He charged that Mr.. Crago and
those supporting him were trying to have
the conferees legislate for the house. lie
gave no attention whatsoever to the TACT
that the various services are deteroratini
at an alarming rate because hundreds Q
officers not to say thousands who have not
received pay increase since 1908 have re
signed in the last year. Garrett, Ten
nessee, Democrat, suggested that the on'
way out of the difficulty was to vot'
down the previous question which hat
heen offered and then amend the rul
by instructing the house conferees to con
slider pay increases for the various ser
vices. Mr. Crago said that was exact,
What he intandcd to do He made thu
notion on which roIl-call was ordered
The friends of the army men won tn
fight, the previous question being votet
down, l53 to 1856. A motion was mad
that the house accept the senate bill
This was voted down. Mr. Mann OF lib
nois took the floor and moved that tn
conference committee be appointed to con
slider the general subject and the motor
was adopted by a voice vote.