New-York tribune., 1921-09-15
General Organ Suggests Re-
ward for Special Merit
in Proposed Amendment
to Civil Service Laws
He Would Grade Veterans of
World War According to
What Army Records Tell
About Each Individual

War veterans of this state who ad-
vocate the adoption of amendment No.
to the state constitution, which pro-
vides for civil service preference for
ex-service men and women, learned yes
terday of the opposition to the present
form of that legislation by Major Cen
ernl John F. O'Ryan, commander of the
9th Division in the World War and
present commanding officer of the State
Guard.
General O'Ryan made it plain that
he is not opposed to all preferment for
veterans but that he believed the pro-
visions OF the suggested amendment too
far-reaching. He offered a substitute
measure, with preference awarded to
ex-service persons on graded scale.
according to their war records.
Il do not favor general preference
conceived by political expediency," de-
clared General O'Ryan, (which pro-
vides for all veterans irrespective of
the merits of their service and in dero-
cation of the rights Of other men who
were too young at the time to enter the
war. The latter would be contrary to
our American spirit of fair play"
Many Were Helped
Many thousands of young men were
taken into the army, General O'Rvan
said, in spite of their efforts to escape
their military obligations, and returned
to their homes greatly benefited by
their military service.
Under what possible theory may
men in this class reasonably make
claim to preferences in the civil serv-
ice?" he asks.
General Organs statement was as
! follows:
II favor an amendment Of the state
constitution so that preference in the
civil service may legally be given vet
Grams of the World War in accordance
with schedule of credits, substan-
TALLY as follows:
! Ito every veteran who served hon
sI, sorany IN the army, navy or
Marine Corps of the United States
for a period of six months or
more between the declaration OF
war and January I, 1919 &C.,
2-An additional per cent for each '|'
additional three months OF service
between said dates. but not to
exceed S per cent.
! 5--t'6r each veteran whose seryice
Vas MAS voluntary. ....-...... 2es
noted TO the grade of corporal or
corresponding naval grade and
who was not reduced for cause 1g<
Reward for Promotion
5-For each veteran who was pro-
NOTED to the grade of sergeant
or corresponding naval grade and
who was not reduced for cause 2cs
s-For each veteran who was pro-
1noted to the grade OF first SER
Eeant or sergeant major or cor
responding grades. 1T
| For each veteran who was pro-
NOTED to the grade Of commits
stoned officer and who was not
convicted by general court mar
tial or dishonorably discharged 90,
S-For each veteran who was dis
charged as an enlisted man and
whose discharge showed char
acter excellent. 1Z
s--For each such veteran whose
character on discharge showed
very good. Observation-Disclosures. ~
! lo-For each such veteran whose
character on discharge showed
good Observation-Disclosures. u cy
| l1--For each veteran cited for gallant
or meritorious service or conduct
| by the headquarters OF a general
ofncer ........-......... 2ot
l2-ITor each veteran cited for gallant
| or neritorious service CIR conduct
by reslmental headquarters. II On
l3-For each veteran awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor 3oS
| l4-For each veteran awarded the
/ 15---For each veteran awarded any
I decoration for gallant or meri-
torious conduct by a foreign gov
ernment associated with the
United sta ..................... 1G5
lb--tor each veteran wounded at the
hands CT the enerly--for each