Evening star., 1923-07-15
Army.

and eventually, if necessary, may be
carried to the Supreme Court of the
United States. The courts. especially
the Supreme Court. 1t is believed, VIII
not be favorable to any interpreta-
tion of the law or procedure which
enables the controller general to con-
troll in any way the actions and au-
thority of the executive departments.
This, military and naval officers be-
lieve, is what McCarl is doing.
Service publications have expressed
themselves positively in this connec,
tion. One of them has employed legal
counsel and established claims de-
partment, Offering cooperation 10
officers and men in securing reliet.
The action of this journal (the Army
and Navy JournaD is based upon the
assumption that the doors OF Con-
gress are closed against any reiief
from the tyranny of the control!er
general" Congress, it is claimed, by
eracting the budget bill handicapped
the authority of the regularly con-
stituted heads of the departments
The bill was passed in spite or PreSi-
dent Wilson's veto, based upon the
opinion of the Attorney General that
the creation of the office of the con-
troller general was unconstitutional.
particularly that part of the law
effecting his removal from office.
In Utner WOrQS tnlS military
zine holds that the controller gen
craI takes the position that he is the
representative of Congress, vest
ed with authority to interpret laws
and control disbursements by depart
nents regardless of the law and the
opinions of the Attorney General.
Considerable interest i'll the services
will attend the first test case brought
TO the courts.
Seeking protection for it's readers
. Ntf-al lar n
other service publication cites a case
decided by the Supreme Court or the
United States on April 10, 19lS-Smith
Us. Jackson. This case arose through
an adverse decision of the controller
of the Treasury against Judge jack
son of the Canal Zone. under which
the disbursing officer of the Panama
Canal withheld part of the salary
due Judge Jackson on account of ex-
cess leave taken and as a rental for
quarters occupied by him, which were
government owned.
This publication seeks relief for
officers denied pay in accordance with
decisions of the controller general
which decisions. 1t is claimed. are
not in accord with law, are contrary
to the opinions of the Attorney Cen
cral, are contrary to specific orders
issued by heads of departments or
are the result of the controller gem
eral reopening accounts long since
closed.
An organization representing the
six services of the government affect
ed by the decisions of the controller
general is working on the other end
of the problem. trying to formulate
remedial legislation, which more ag-
gressive opponents of the controllers
activities declare will never be ac-
Cepted by Congress.
Practically all the officers in these
governmental bureaus, from the Sec
retaries of War and Navy down to
the youngest officer. are awaiting
some action making for their protec
tion and relief.
The abandonment of the old Army
post at Fort Hunt. Va, has been au-
thorized by Secretary Weeks and the
commanding general of the district
of Washington plans to begin the
removal of troops and supplies To-
Gated there within a weeks time.
Negotiations for the disposal of the
local real estate for farming purposes.
summer homes or other purposes.
which will result in a maximum re-
turn to the government. will soon be
opened. it is understood.
The War Department has directed
that the Finance School shall be
established at Washington. d. c.. the
personnel being accommodated with
the Headquarters Company of the
District. Schoolroom quarters will
be provided in temporary building No.
or In Inat vicinity. Rental dllO"-
ances for two commissioned officer
instructors and one warrant officer,
as we'll as rental allowance and sub
sistence for three nom commissioned
officers of the school staff, have been
authorized.
Coast artillery and ordnance per-
sonnel at Fort Hunt will be trans
ferred to Fort Washington for per-
manent station. The quartermaster
general has been authorized to dis
~, l,t, IL, nT ~
stationed al Fort Hunt as he may see
fit AS soon as the evacuation is
completed Fort Hunt will be put un-
der the charge of the quartermaster
general until disposed of. orders di-
rect.
Plans are under consideration at
the War Department to augment the
military personnel at Fort Myer with
the addition of a battalion of infantry.
1t is understood that in the next ap-
preparation estimate, Congress will
be asked for an allotment sufficient to
provide additional quarters for the
infantry troops.
Cavalry and field artillery troops
are stationed at Fort Myer, but, al
though need for infantry in the Dis
trict has existed for many years. no
provision for their detail has been
made. The new plan will give Fort
Myer representatives of the three field
arms of the service and make avail
able such troops as are necessary in
the event of official, civic and in
augural ceremonies.
MotoriZation of the modern army
can never eliminate the horse as a
necessity in time of war, staff officers
of the Army assert. And yet the i'm
provements in mechanical transport
resulting in the introduction of trac-
tors, tanks, self-propelled gun car
riages. trucks, motor cars and cycles
and the placing of the Army on an
automotive basis Is progressing
rapidly.
Army transportation specialists and
automotive experts are striving now
for the Standardization of types and
parts, SO that in the event of war
they can be produced in large guam
titles, assembled and repaired readily
While many units of the field services
are as yet unmotorized. it is the aim
of the department to be prepared in
war time to supply such units as are
desired with motor equipment in
minimum of time.
Today four infantry regiments are
provided with motor transport: The
9Th, 10th, 18th and 25th Regiments
have mobile equipment except for
. their machine gun and howitzer
units.
The 51st, 55th and seth Regiments
of Coast Artillery, literally heavy ar
tillery, are now motorized. and the
sgd Regiment is provided with rail-
field artillery is equipped with me-
chanical transport. the 5th, Sth, 11th,
18th and S3rd being motorized, while
the 1st is both motor and horse
drawn.
Ultimately it is the aim of the War
Department to furnish-the infantry
with fast truck transportation, for
with such eQuiDment thew can he