The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-07-25
ARMY CUT IS NEXT
MOVE IN CONGRESS
PRESIDENT HARDING SIGNS BILL
REDUCING ARMY OF UNITED
STATES TO 100000 MEN
Congress Informed That Secretary Of
War Would Not Be Asked
To Discharge Men In For
Certain Time.

Washington-President Harding sent
message to congress Thursday
strongly dissenting from provisions in
the army appropriation bill which re-
quires the army to be reduced to $780,
600 men by October l.
The president announced he had
signed the bill, but warned congress
that he does not feel justified in ask
ing the secretary Of war to enforce
the dismissal Of men prior to expira-
ton of enlistment as would be neces-
sary If the provisions of the measure
are carried into effect.
The president said this provision
will cause every great embarrassment"
to the army and will be demOralizing
to the spirit of the army itself, prob
ably causing serious difficulty In Sc
curing enlistments in the future.
The restriction was vigorously OPP
posed by Secretary of War Weeks.
who declared it violation of con-
tract" with enlisted men.
President Harding advised congress
that he would probably ask additional
| legislation to remove the restrictions
and said that while the secretary Of
war will seek to avoid creating any
deficit prohibited by the bill every eff
fort will be made to deal justly with
enlisted men.
| The message was very plain spo-
ken document and is the first serious
disagreement between Harding and
leaders in congress.
Harding's message follows:
II am advising the congress OF my
approval of H. r. SOLO, a bill making
provision for the maintenance and sup
port of the United States army for the
year ending June &c. 1922.
II cannot resist ealing the attention
Of the congress at this time to the very
great embarrassment in carrying Ou,
its provisions while dealing justly with
the enlisted forces of the army so that
later call for a slight modification
may not be wholly without notice.
1.-THE bill necessitates a very large
reduction in the enlisted personnel o.
the army and it is doubted that thi'
reduction can be brought about with
out the summary dismissal Of many
thousands of men who have right tt
expect at the hands of the government
the same moral obligations which thu
government requires, of them WheI
they enlist for service. In perfec
GOOD faith the secretary of war vii
proceed to reduce the army to the fig
ure contemplated by the congress. TIT
normal expiration Of enlistments prob
ably will approximate One-half the re
duction which the congress has directed
and every effort will be made to NEE
the requirements of the congress a
the earliest possible day.
Il would not feel justified in asking
the secretary of war to enforce tn
dismissal of men who have enlisted
for definite term of service.
"There seems to be moral obliga
ton involved, the violation of whic
would be demoralizing to the spirit o
the army itself and might prove YER
serious Encouragement when enlist
ments are desired in the future.
have thought l ought to say thes
things to the congress now because j
: it's earnest desire to reduce the arm
personnel and limit army expenditure
the congress has especially provide
that no deficit shall be created. TIL
secretary of war will seek to avoi
the creation of any deficit, but If
! probable deficit develops in just pre-
cedure to reduce our enlisted forces
2 will report to the congress at the earl
l est possible day and ask it to reliev
the embarrassment Of the secretary
t war and make such provision as WI
4 be necessary to deal justly with OF
: enlisted men while attempting to kee
: faith with the congress to the fule'
n possible degree