Evening star., 1926-08-15
Civilian Army News

hold the rating Of junior airplane
pilot is not limited to training type
airplaneS by any previous lnStruc-
tionS, nor is such a limitation desired
by Maj. Gen. Mason NJ. Patrick, chief
of the Air Corps. officers Of the
Air Corps Reserve, on active or In
active status, it Is pointed out. may
be permitted by the commanding Of
ticerS of Air Corps airdromes to pilot
service type airplanes. in accordance
with the prescribed regulations. when
in the opinion of the commanding Of
ficer such reserve officer is qualified
for the flying involved and the
equipment can be made available.
Gen. Patrick is very desirous to have
every reasonable means employed
toward maintaining an adequate
Air Corps Reserve, the foundation for
which must be flying efficiency.
It would not be surprising, sooner
or later, and perhaps at the approach
ing session of Congress. that there
will be a discussion of legislation
providing for a more definite and posi-
tive administration of the affairs of
the Officers Reserve Corps of the
Army. The view Is held in certain
congressional quarters that the proper
form of encouragement has not been
exercised on the part of the War
Department, and that the officers
Reserve Corps should be placed on
an equal plane in the department
as in the National Guard. Those ad
vocating such a change do not con-
template that the affairs of the Of
ftcers' Reserve Corps should be ad-
minfstered by a new and separate
bureau. such as Is the Militia Bureau,
but. instead, it has been intimated
that there should be created branch
within the War Department general
staff-that is, another &c" to the four
which already exist This new
branch. or G-5. as it would be called
in case of its creation. would be
charged with the development of the
reserve force.
There is a certain element among
the reserviSts themselves who are in
sympathy with the creation of a bu-
reau or branch to handle Reserve af-
fairs exclusively, although there ap-
pears to be no special complaint of
neglect Of the rights and needs of the
reserviSts, who seem to be capable OF
taking care of themselves. for eX-
abple, in the matter of appropriations.
There is a firm conviction in other
quarters, however, that the Reserve
force would be more useful in every
respect if the administration Of the
affairs of the Officers Reserve Corps
were more closely allied with the regu
lar establishment. The whole situation
is at present in a preliminary stage of
development, bordering on mere con-
lecture, but 1t is interesting as a pos
sibility of future legislation, the indi
cations being that 1t will be the sub
ject of considerable discussion at the
approaching session of Congress,
which meets next December.
There has just been issued by Ma
rine Corps headquarters circular let
ter No. 2S, which governs the pay of
members of the Marine Corps Reserve
when not on active duty. Payments
to reservists on inactive duty will be
made by an officer attached to the
payma Ster'S department at headquar
ters on individual vouchers certified
by the Reserve area commander. In
the event, however. that no service
emitting the reservist to pay was rem
dered during the quarter. no voucher
will be submitted. but the Reserve
area commander will submit a blanket
certificate, setting forth the names
and ranks of all reservists for whom
NouCI1ClS Iiob 'tCNih
with the notation mo drills per-
formed" or NO appropriate duties
performed as may be appropriate.
The circular of instructions covers
the following subjects in detail: No
tice of enlistment in the Marine Corps
Reserve; transfer between classes; no.
tice of discharge: uniform gratuity;
compensation for drill or equivalent
duty pay; compensation for appropri-
ate duties-above rank of captain;
compensation for appropriate duties
below rank of jOr; compensation
FOR command, and instructions for dis
bursting officers.
Some misunderstanding exists on
the part OF the enlisted reservists as
to the proper procedure to be pursued
upon the receipt of orders for active
duty training. Two cases have occur
red just recently where enlisted re-
SerViSts paid their transportation from
their home to Fort Monroe, Va, eX-
pecting to be reimbursed upon their
arrival. which, of course, cannot be
done, as orders invariably specify that
Government transportation will be
furnished from place OF residence.
Usually a transportation request ac-
companies the order sent the re-
SeGNlSt, nut. SHOutu ttllS DE OVERLOOKED.
the local reServist concerned should
make application at once to the Sd
Coast Artillery district for transporta-
tion and his Communication of rations
in advance. 1t requires about a week
to receive the transportation after
mailing the request.
ReSerViSts who have paid their
transportation should forward their
request for refund through military
channels, which will be made by corps
area headquarters. This will entail
some little delay, and to avoid all Of
this irksome detail reservists are
urged to apply in advance for trans
portatlon and Communication of sub
sistence. There is no difficulty in con-
neCtion with the transportation of the
reservists returning home, 1t is point
ed out by the district headquarters,
and much correspondence and incon-
Venience can be avoided if the re-
servist will take the action outlined
above.
Roosevelt S Double.