Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-01
PRESIDENT SIGNS ARMY Bill
BUT SUGGESTS MODIFICATION
OF MEASURE AT LATER DATE
i h speeisl Message Calls Attention To Necessity Of
~->.~-- Dealing Justly With Enlisted
Men

which might be asked for later was
not disclosed nor did tho president ex-
plain how 1t was proposed TO meet
the moral obligation to the men, AMI
at the same time. carry out tn, di-
rection of congress to reduce tn. force
BY some seventy thousand men in the
next three months. He did sny, how
ever. that every effort viii he made
to meet the requirement of the con
Eress at the earlst possible day"
Secretary Weeks in discussing the
bill said that II the war department
succeeded in meeting the limitations
, imposed by congress, some thirty
tnousand civilian employees of the army
besides tho 10000 enlisted men would
be thrown on the labor market. lie
added that the war department still
hoped to be able to avoid the summary
dismissal of any enlisted men In re
ducing the army and that for the
present no enlisted men would be dis
charged asainst their wishes.
The war secretary explained TINT an
opportunity would be given enlisted
mon in tho service who desire %
next few weeks, Mr.. Weeks added only
routine and requested discharges
would he issued.
In signing the bill. President Hard
ing WAS understood to have favored \
course regarded by his advisers as Il .
iusistence OF both tho house and SOM
ate that the army he reduced ms pro
posc6 in the measure and the short
time remaining before tho end OF the
fiscal year.
Tho presidents message to congress
said:
Il am advising the congress OF nv
approval Of II II 5aio. a bill making
provision for the maintenance ana
support of the United states army Tor
the fiscal year ending June -. lPs2-
cannot resist calling To ths aftcn-
tlon Of the congress AT this tiruc the
very great embarrassment Ia carry
tur out its provisions while dsslins
Justly with the enlisted forces Of the
amy 40 that later call for shght
modification may not he wholly with
out notice
The bni r~cessitatss a vc-y large
reduction IN tho enlisted personnel OF
the army and ~ a. doubted that lhis
reduction can be brought about with
the su-nm,ry DISMISSED ~ many 'hous
Ruds ~ men who have rirht to ~
psct nj the hands OF the sovctnnn,ut
tho same morsi Obligation walsh the
government requires Of them wN.-r
they enlist for service.
In p.rf,c, good fai'h tho -~cr--
tnry cf war viii proceed TO reduce tho
army to figure contemplated by the
congress
srh. normal expiration - enlist
m,n,s probably viii approximate on
hrif tho reduction which tho congr' sf
has directed rni cverv effort win hc
r,ade to meet tho requirements %
,h, congress >, tho earliest possible
dry 7 would no, feel justified IN ask
ing the secretary Of wa 10 enforce th'
dismissal of men wh' have enlisted
for . definite term Of service.
There sccrr - hs q moral ohlir'-
ton involved N, violation OF which
" ouid hr d.moraiizirr - the spirit
of tho army i,scif and might prove
VERY serious discoursErneut hon IN
iistmenis arc desired IN the future.
= have thought 7 ought 10 nv ihs-"
things to the congress .ow hecnuf~ -
earnest desirc 20 reduce tho army pct
sonnsi and limit army eNpsnrcs ~"
congress has expressly rroviirl inff
m d~fici, shall he created. -h- Sc
-etsry of var viii seek 20 rvnii ~
rres,ian Of any deficit hut n = rroh-
,hi- dsfIri, develops In iusi pro
~sSdu-e to f~fu~- our enlisted forces
vii report IN tho congress q, the
ssrii.a, possible day and ask ~ ~ te-
ti.vs the enhancement Of the se-re-
tsry n wnr ard make such provision
a. viii he necessary 10 deal Justly
With our enlisted men while attempt
log "a keen fsi,h with tho c'nvirrf
=, the fullest possible degree