Evening star., 1920-12-19
Anthony ON NPromotions."

That recent Army promotions will
not be confirmed by tho committee
on military affairs without due con-
sideration is indicated by statements
from members of Congress who are
giving the subject their attention
At the Office of Representative Dam
iel r. Anthony, jr. (kan.), a contrma-
tion was given to his recent state
ment in one Of the leading service
papers, which read as follows:
There is a feeling that the intent
of Congress has not been faithfully
carried out by the War Department.
especially as to the provision that
at least so per cent Of tho new COM
missions created should. be from
without the Regular Army. Under
the way they have interpreted the
law they have arranged 1t SO every
graduate Of West Point In tho last
i've classes has been made major.
All West Point graduates OF over
of major and all the rest probably
that of captain. In other words. the
increased rank was not fairly passed
around to the men who fought IN
this war" =
Bearing out the West Point state
ment of Mr.. Anthony. the fact exists
that hundreds of youngsters from the
academy have been pushed ahead 80
fast during the past five years tnat
the percentage of appointees from
will be left far behind IN future pro.
motions. 1t il a lamentable fact tnat
few of the emergency officers recently
appointed were given better tnan .
captaincy, although a number OF
them were men Win years OF piD
ing, which experience cost the gov
ernment absolutely nothing. On the
other hand, West Pointers-Iof OK
ample, the class Of 1s15-were young
sters. educated at government snr- nr
ing which time they received the
liberal nay of q cadet, and were ap-
pointed second heutenants In 1912.
drst lieutenants in 1916. captains IN
1917 and majors in 1920. Their pres
cess Of $4,000 year, or q sum efeas-
or than is paid to an assistant sec
rotary Of the Treasury.
Appointment to General
6euresenting "the line" from which
- sprung, the recent appointment OF
Col Alexander E. Williams to a four
vear detail rs br1gadier general and
one Of three assistants to the
auartermaster general. nicely bal
ances Army representation In. the
Quartermaster Corps. Quartermaster
General Rogers was of the old pay
Cam. Krsufhon and Carson. were
from = the former, Guhgleteuce ana
auartermxster services - vacancy
SiIed by WiiIians wAs . = the re.
cant detail Of Brig. Gen. Lprd - chief
81 the finance department =
ss. y ,laa%: my West s1sSs Pcin, Il. ssi ssy.
served, upon his 1gradu4fton. IN the
"a Infantry during the Spanish ana
Philippine campaigns. later serving
On Quartermaster details. when
brought him in contact with water
and truck transportation. From the Vera
Cruz expedition to the militia bureau.
and later as organizer OF the storage
service. Williams was assigned depot
auartermaster Of the A. y. r. at ST
Naxaire. later becoming chief quar-.
termaster of the Sd Army Corps IN
Germany. Returning to America IN
1918. Williams was appointed Assist
ant TO the quartermaster general. His
present appointment 10 due to reward
Tor special efficiency and tact in tho
performance OF his duties.
The New Secretary.
Comment IL rife az to who wifi be
the next Secretary OF War. It %
Slnown that many Army men would
rrefer to serve under q civilian Secre-
fary. There is some talk of tho ap-
pointment OF Gen. Perehfng or WOOD
and. under the law. either could be
appointed to the office by retiring
From the Army or by being placed
on the inactive list without pay. Both
generals have their quota OF friends
in and out Of the service. who would
like to see their favorite occupying
the role Of Secretary. It iS known
that Gen. Pershing is close to Presi-
dent-elect Harding. as is also Gen.
Wood. The record made by Gen
Pershing in the world war adds to
his prestige an q prospective Secre-
fary, although some of his friends
believe his popularity has not been
strengthened by heading tho recent
appointment board. Tho stand that
Gen. Wood took in promoting pre-
paredness prior to the war will be
one Of his chief assets for the Secre-
tsryship. No intimation. however. has
come from Mr.. Harding as to his
wishes regarding this portfolio and
his decision may not be determined
for some time. IH-event q civilian Is
appointed Secretary the Army will be
specially interested as to who will be
the next chief of staff There are