Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1921-07-01
MOD|F |CA T|ON
.0E ARMY BILL
MAY BE ASKED,
CONGRESS TOLD
Provisions Of Measure Inn
possible of Fullfillment
Unless Government Re-
pudiates Moral Obliga-
tions, Says Harding
TRepubiIcan A. p. Leased Wlrel

WASHINGTON, June 5V-freSl-
dent Harding informed congress to-
day that while he had signed the
army appropriation bill with it's pro-
vision for a reduction of the regular
army to 10000 men by next Oct. l,
it might be necessary to ask for
modification of the mea sure later to
avoid embarra ssment to the secretary
of war.
The executive declared in a special
message sent to both the senate and
house that that summary dismissal
from the army of men who had en-
listed for a longer period than Oct
/ would seem to involve reputation
of a moral obligation by the govern
ment which would have its effect upon
the morale of the army and possibly
influence enlistments in the future.
The nature of the notifications
which might be asked for later was
not disclosed. nor did the president
explain how it was proposed to meet
the moral obligation to the men and
at the same time carry out the direc-
tion 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 requirement of congress at the
earliest possible day"
Secretary Weeks. in discussing the
bill. said that If the war department
succeeded IN meeting the limitations
imposed by congress. some 10000 ci-
william employees of the army besides
the 10000 enlisted men would be
thrown on the labor market. He
added that the war department still
hoped to be able to avoid the sum-
mary dismissal of any enlisted men
in reducing the army. and that for
the present no enlisted men would
be discharged against their wishes.
The war secretary explained that an
opportunity would be given enlisted
men in the service who desire to leave
to tender their designations.
In signing the bill, President Hard
ing was understood to have followed
course regarded by his advisers as
the only practicable one in view OF
the insistence of both the senate art
house that the army be reduced. a.
proposed in the measure. and the short
time remaining before the end of the
fiscal year.
The Presidents Message
The presidents message TO con-
gress said:
Il am advising the congress of my
approval of H. r. 50i0. a bill MAX
/ ing provision for the maintenance and
support OF the United States army
for the fiscal year ending June 80.
1922. l cannot resist calling to the
attention of the congress at this time
the very great embarra ssment IN car
rying out its provisions while dealing
Justly with the enlisted forces of the
army so that a later call for a slight
modification may not be wholly with
| out notice.
The bill necessitates a very large
reduction In the enlisted personnel
of the army and 1t is doubted that
I Al fr14, lNa hrA oh
without the summary dismissal of
many thousands of men who have a
right to expect at the hands of the
government the same moral obligation
which the government requires OF
them when they enlist for service.
In perfect good faith the secre-
tary of war VIII proceed to reduce
i the army to figures contemplated by
! the congress.
THE normal expiration of enlis,
ments probably will approximate one
| half the reduction which the CON
gress has directed and every effort
| will be made to meet the require
| ments of the congress at the earliest
possible day. would not feel justified
in asking Che secretary of war to
enforce the dismissal of men who have
enlisted for definite term of serv-
ice. There seens to be "a moral obli-
cation involved the violation OF
which would be demoraiizing to the
| spirit of the army itself. and might
prove a very serious discoura cement
when enlistments are desired in the
future.
Will Keep Congress Informed
Il have thought I ought to say
these things to the congress now be-
cause in its earnest desire to reduce
the army personnel and limit army
expenses the congress has expressly
! provided that no deficit shall be Gre
alton of any deficit, but if a prob
able deficit develops in a just pro-
cedure to reduce our enlisted forces
| will report to the congress at the
earliest possible day and ask it to
relieve the embarrassment of the
secretary of war and to make such
provision as will be necessary to
deal justly with out enlisted mer
while attempting to keep faith with
the congress to the fullest possible
| decree