Evening star., 1922-07-19
INTERESTS OF US.
first IN ARMY CUT
Only Most Effective OFFICERS
| Will Be Retained, Says
| Official Circular.
APPLICATIONS POUR in
loutine Separation Cases Expedit-
! ed in General Slash for
Y Economy.
APPLICATIONS POUR in


Regulations to govern the separa-
don of hundreds of Regular Army Of
fcers from active service before the
end of the year, as required by Con-
sress in the current appropriation
hill. were made public today at the
War Department.
s"In accomplishing the required re-
duction," the circular states. the
Interests of the government will be
paramount to those of individuals.
"In view of the necessity OF func-
tioning as efficiently as possible win
the reduced personnel that will be
available in future, it is essentlai
that only the most effective ofncers
be retained"
Part of the necessary reductlon
will be taken up by natural losses
in the commissioned personnel. APP
pIicatiops for retirement are pouring
an at the department, and the regula-
tions urge all officers who oeheVe
they should be retired to send In tneir
papers. Orders to expedite al rou-
fina senaration cases are included.
and to insure completion OF the re-
duction of the corps by January l, as
required by Congress. the reguiation,SS
direct that. so far as practicaoie' d a
separations and recommsslons oe
completed by December 10.
Limited Separations.
Aside from the routine reductlons
through retirements, designations ana
dismissals for cause. all separations
reuuired by the act ARE limited to
those officers specifically recommend
ed for retirement or discharge by the
board of general officers" created by
the act for the purpose and yet to De
appointed. The regulations direct
that the boards action in each case
.be based upon the official records OF
the officers now on file In the war
Department, supplemented by such
additional written recommenda 'ons'
reports and statements as may oe re-
ceived."
In fixing the principles to govern
the board the circular says:
-"The board will consider an officers
previous, present and probable future
usefulness and relative value to the
government. taking into account age.
length of service, experience, time
vet to serve, physical condition. EN-.
cheney ratings and all other essential
factors entering into thorough con-
sideration of usefulness and relative
value.
with the exception of reductions In
the medical and chaplain corps. off,
GERS are to be regarded as "One pool
from which those who for any rea-
son are least effective" are to be re-
moved. regardless OF the oranch OF
the service to which they are as
signed. Readjustments of the num-
ber of officers in each branch Will be
made later.
General Omcers Included
General officers will be included in
the boards survey. although no re-
duction in the number of general Of
hcers was required by Congress. Ap-
pointments of colonels to fill vacan-
cfes made by retirement of generals
will take care Of some surplus colo
nels.
Special reports on all officers
deemed by the reporting officers to be
suitable for consideration for retire.
ment or discharge are ordered from
heads of branches and Of territorial
departments and schools. Of1cers thus
reported are to be personally IN
formed of the fact by the reporting
oficers and permitted to file with the
board of general ofhcers such state
The circular emphasizes that the
reduction must be sweeping, as there
were ISIS surplus officers on the rolls
June 80 compared with the numbers In
grade fixed by Congress to become,
effective January l next. The act
allows only 500 to be held beyond
that period above the limits fixed to
be absorbed or recommissioned In
lower grades later, so that more than
100 colonels. majors, captains and
first Heutenants must be discharged
OF retired or otherwise be separated
from the service.
Odicers selected for elimination but
who have had less than ten years
commissioned service, but more than
twenty years service, including t9at
in the ranks, will be given the option
Of discharge with a years pay, re-
tirement as warrant officers or re-
duction to the rank of warrant ofdcer.
No stigma In Removal
The circular points out that under
tho circumstances, separations from
tho service under the act Of June 80.
1922, are regarded as honorable in
every way, and will not be regarded
as stigmatizing an officer or his rec
ord" In conclusion it says:
att is the desire of the War De-
partment that, in general, officers
leaving the active list of the Regular.
ARMY continue available for military
service in emergency. Such officers
are urged to affiliate with the Ma
tional Guard or to apply for appoint
ment in the Oficers' Reserve Corps.
Army Of the United States available
for service when needed"