Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-02-06
FLETCHER ASKS ACTION

Tho Florida Senator later declared
he would seek another way Of "get-
ting action" on the appointments, add
ing that it was "a crime for the Sen
alto to refuse TO act on such nomina
tons rs his resolutions concerned.
Senator Lodge explained that there
were undoubtedly n great many ode
serving cases OF Il nonpoliticul char
ac!er" and requested Senator Norris
to wait until these could be segregat.
ed from the thousands of nominat-
ions OF ali classes. Senator Norris
said tonight it was probable that
these nominations might be grouped
and reported for confirmation Mt an
early date.
Secretary Baker 1t was learned to
day, recently asked the judgc-advo-
cate.genernl's Office for information
MS to hhe status OF officers whose nom
nations arc pending, in each OF tho
three following eventualitics:
First, if the Senate refused to con
firm any Of the III limitations Mt this
session; second: If only the Pershing
board appointments were confirmed;
and, third, IL only n part OF the list
of promotions OF officers already per.
manently In tho service were con
filmed.
MIR. Baker was informed, it is un
'cci stood that If the Senate did not
act Oh any OF The nominations. the
Hore than 5000 officers recommended
Tor permanent commissions by the
PerShing board would find themselv.
es back In civil life OH March 4.
1t was explained that many OF these
officers, nl of whom have assumed
their rank since last July /, subject
to combinations, had been ordered to
distant parts OF tho world and have
gone to their posts, in many cases
taking their families and household
effects with them.
WOULD BE SEPARATED"
1t was said that should the Senate
fail TO confirm them they will find
themselves entdrely separated from
the army OH March and without
the right to live in government quar-
tcrs, their pay stopped and with no
legal status that would entitle them
TO apply to the War Department for
money with which to defray their
expenses back to the United States.
Their temporary commissions, 1t
also was said, would be vacated, aud
n would he necessary to make now
appointments and send new recommen
dations to Congress- before the yacan-
: cics could be filled.
In the event that only the Pershing
board nominations were confirmed
and all other names on the list wen \
to fail of confirmation, it was said
dhc situation would not he so serious
although hardship would be worked
on almost every officer in the regular
army who has been promoted and
and whose promotion is new await
lnS senatorial confirmation.
In the case of all the new officers
appointed to the grade OF captain
ana above, the new appointment,
when confirmed would give the off,
cor rank senior to that Of regular ofn
GERS OF long service who failed of con
firmation for promotion.
Should the Senate confirm only
part OF the list of promotions and take
no action on the remainder, nh un.
precedented situation would arise, it
was said. For purposes Of illustra.
t'oh, q hypothetical case was cited.
Assuming that all nominations I'D
10 ana Including colonel were con.
tirmed, hut that no action was taken
on the general officers. many officers
OF long service in the army were of
the opinion that number of officers
nominated for hrigadfer general and
now holding temporary appointment
as such, but with the permanent rank
or colonel would find Themselves on
tirely out Of the army.
!,