The New York herald., 1922-05-09
FIGHT CUT In PAY
OF ENLISTED MEN
Democrats Oppose House Bill
Slashing Army and Navy
Rank and File.
Special Dispatch to THE New York HERAIp
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. G.. May 8.


Washington, ID. c.. May 8.
The fight to maintain the present scale
and in some instances to increase the
sonnel of the Army. Navy, Marine Corps
Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Sur
vey and the Public Health Service was
begun IN the House to-day. A bill was
brought up for consideration from the
special committee on adjustment of pay
for these services. 1t also contains pro-
vision for reduction of pay for enlisted
men OF the army and apprentice seamen
of the navy.
In providing for adjustment of pay In
the several services the bill deals with
the allowances to the commissioned per-
sonnel below the grades of Brigadier-
General, Rear Admiral and Surgeon
General.
In the lower grades in the army en-
listed classes a reduction from $50 to
SCI month and in the apprentice grade
in the navy from s33 to s21 are made.
Cost of Living an Issue.
Representative Mckenzie (Ill), in
charge of the measure, pointed out that
the increase in cost of living of more
than 100 per cent. since 1908, the date
necessary for Congress to grant addi-
tional funds.
THE pay schedule" Mr.. Mckenzie
said. ''is so worked out as to offer a
reasonable career to desirable young
men. Tho compensation is commen-
surate with the duties and responsibii-
ties attached to rank, yet provides for
increases due to experience and ef-
ficiency apart from rank. as IS the case
under existing law. 1t protects the
Government in the case of abnormally
rapid promotion and the individual in
the case Of abnormally slow promotion.
The bill also provides that while cost
shall not be increased expense to the
Government shall be reduced as the
cost Of living reduces.
This bill abolishes many inequalities
between services whose duties are at
all times comparable and in time of war
are identical. facilitating financial ad-
ministration. The general principles
embodied in this bill have received the
repeated approval of the Secretary of
the Treasury. Secretary of the Navy
and Secretary of Commerce.
A report states that it is not only
Cnwise at this time to pass permanent
pay legislation for the several services
but that the bill reported from the COM
just to the private soldier i'm the lower
grades of the army. to the apprentice
scamen of the navy, overgenerous to
large number of the officer personnel
especially I'm the higher grades, dis
criminatory against officers commits
stoned from civil life in its gracious dis
pensation of service gifts and unwar-
ranted in. proposing substantial in
creases in the retirement of officers.
including many now on the retired list.
Increase of $55,OOO,OO
1t shows that the total number of
commissioned officers on July 16. 1916,
was S.S19. and now 21,5SS, distributed
in the following army grades and grades
of other services correspondinely as fol-
lows: In 1916, ~ Major-Generals. now
81; 3S B-igadier- Generals, now 81; SO
Colonels. now 375; Ala Lieutenant Col
onels. now 1877: 1.159 Majors. now
1885; 2,6S6 Captains. now S,641; 1855
Lieutenants, now 4.547; 1896 Second
Lieutenants. now 1923. The increase
is 1873 commissioned officers since
1915. which involves an additional an
nual expense to the Treasury of $685.
900. 900 based on the 1908 schedule.
Attention of the House Is likewise di-
rected to the fact that the War Depart
HlenL Is HOW Tdpluly oTSanlZlnB on an
efficient basis federalized National
Guard which numbers 5000 officers and
10000 men. necessitating the expendi-
ture OF S25. 200, 900 for the year 1923.
when 1t is remembered that about
$4,000 young men are undergoing mil
itary training for army reserve officers
In college training corps units the
minority report says, I'VE respectfully
submit that these facts would seem to
justify hope that we will in the near
future adjust our military forces on a
more limited and economical basis than
at present"
The minority report continues: 'If
the pending bill shows substantial saw
ing under the budget estimate for 1928,
1t will he found that any saving so
shown in either the army or tho navy is
almost altogether due to reduction In
the pay of tho private soldier in the
army and the apprentice seaman of the
navy. The bill proposes to reduce the
private soldier in the lower grades Of
the army from $50 to S21 and the ap-
prentice seaman of the navy from $33
to s21"