Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-01
ARMY BILL MAY
NEED CHANGING
|. CONGRESS TOLD.
BY PRESIDENT
Government May Be En-
banaSSed If Attempt IS
Made to Comply With
Measures By Oct, I,
ABOUT 100000 MEN
MUST BE DISCHARGED
Dismissal Would Seem To
Involve a Reputation OF
Moral Obligation, Says
Harding,

fISy The Associated tress.l
washington, June 30.-Pres1dent
Harding informed congress today
that while he had signed the army
appropriation bill with its provi-
sion for reduction of the regular
army of $780, by next october l,
1t might be necessary to ask for
a modification of the measure later
to avoid embarrassment to the sec
fetary of war.
The executive declared in a spe-
cial message sent to both the sem
ate and the house that summary
dismissal from the army of men
who had enlisted for longer
period than october would seem
to involve Reputation of moral
obligation by the government
which would have it's effect upon
the morale of the army and possi-
bly, influence enlistments, in the
future.
Nature Not Disclosed.
The nature of the modification
which might be asked for later was
not disclosed, nor did the pres'-
dent explain how it was proposed
to meet the moral obligation to the
men and, at the same time, carry
out the direction of congress TO
reduce the force by some 10000
men in the next three months.
He did say, however. that every
effort will be made to meet the re-
quirement of the congress at the
earliest possible day."
Secretary Weeks, in discussing
the bill, said that If the war de-
partment succeeded in meeting the
limitations imposed by congress.
some 10000 civilian employees OF
the army besides the 10000 enlist
ed men would be thrown on the
labor market. He added that the
war department still hoped to he
able to avoid the summary dismis-
Hai of any enlisted men In reduc-
ing the army, and that for the
present no enlisted men would be
discharged against their wishes.
Men May Resign.
L,Jyrhe secretary explained chat an
Opportunity would be given enlist
ed men in the service who desire
to leave to tender their resigna-
tions. For the next few weeks, Mr..
WGGhc duNOut Oiily lObtlhO oAiN ~
uuested discharges would be is
sued.
In signing the bill, President
Harding was understood to have
followed course regarded by his
advisers as the only practicable
one, In view of the insistence of
both the house and senate that the
army be red9ced as proposed IN
the measure and the short time
remaining before the end of the
fiscal year.
Message to Congress
The presidents message to con-
gress said
II am advising the congress of
my approval of H. r. SOLO, a bill
making provision for the main
tenance and support of the United
States army for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1929. ! cannot resist
calling to the attention Of the con-
gress at this time the very great
embarrassment in carrying out its
provisions while dealing justly with
the enlisted forces of the army sc
that a later call for a slight mod
ification may not be wholly with
out notice.
Necessitates Reduction.
"The bill necessitates a very
large reduction in the enlisted per,
sonnel of the army and 1t Is doubt.
ed that this reduction can bt
brought about without the sum
mary dismissal of many thousands
sof taen who have a right to expec
hit the hands OF the government the
..N,o ,,,n,a nb1iora tio,, u,htOt, ~.
government requires of them wher
they enlist for service.
"In perfect good faith the sec
, retary of war will proceed to re-
7duce the army to figures contem
q plated by the congress.
"The normal expiration of en-
slistments probably will approx
mate one-half the reduction whicf
the congress has directed. ant
every effort will be made to NEE
sSthe requirements of the congress a
sthe earliest possible day. ! should
mot feel justified in asking the dis
smissal of men who have enlisted
Mifor a definite term Of service
There seems to be moral obliga
!, .tion involved. the violation o
Z which would be demoralizing to th'
rtspirit of the army itself, and nigh
sprove a very serious discourage
iment when enlistments are de
desired in the future.
X No Deficit Permitted.
IT have thought | ought to sa,
these things to the congress now
because in its earnest desire to re
lduce the army personnel and limi
army expenses. the congress ha
expressly provided that no defici
(Continued ON Page Two.)