Evening star., 1926-11-14

reason to believe that the same OBJ
jections which in the past have oper-
ated againSt such relief of the Army
promotion situation have been de-
termining factor in the conclusions
reached by this latest attempt to solve
this vexatious problem. A mass of in
formation and data from various
sources has been submitted to the
hoard for it's consideration, which in
cluded O. thorough study made by the
personnel branch of the War Depart
ment, the Army War College, as well
aS expressed opinions from individual
officers.
In the absence of official revelation
on this subject, it is anticipated that
the board, in its report to Congress,
meeting in December, will favor legis-
lation authorizing advancement in the
various grades, up to and including
colonel, after a prescribed number of
wears of commissioned service. Pre-
carious as the situation is to deal
with, since all efforts made in the past
TO adjust the alleged injustices of the
single promotion list have met in fail
ure, care must be exercised in not Sug-
gesting to Congress any relief that
will increase the cost of personnel
maintenance by virtue of such promo
ton. This advantageous reconstruct
ton can be effected, 1t Is believed, by
adjusting the commissioned service
and regulating promotion so as to ap-
proximately correspond with the re-
spective pay periods. Consideration
Will also have to he made, it is point
ed out, to control promotion by this
method In such a way as not to seri-
Ously interfere detrinentally with the
rate of promotion now assured.
The War Department does not look
with favor upon the approval Of ap-
plicattonS for transfer from the active
list of officers with 80 years service.
A thorough study made by experts as
20 the cost Of such a policy, impair
TALLY exercised, indicates that it would
not result in a saving of public funds
TO retire officers after 80 years ser.
vice. 1t Is contemplated to secure leg
islation, however, that shall definitely
provide, as a requirement, retirement
on 75 per cent Of base pay those Off
GERS who have reached the grade of
colonel, with over 35 years of commits
stoned service, exception presumably
being made in favor Of those who
have been designated as eligible for
appointment as general officer. Ap-
plication OF the 30-year retirement
privilege to officers below the grade Of
colonel appears to be most unlikely,
us there is no indication that the pres
modified for some time to come. This
situation will be controlled almost ex-
riusively by congressional prejudice,
which Is against the retirement Of off,
GERS who are not disabled and who
have not attained the retiring age.
From general staff studieA which
have been made it is intimated that a
plan has been proposed which would
provide for age-in-grade retirement for
all grades, a system that Is in opera
lion in the higher grades of the Navy,
and which. under pending legislation,
it Is proposed to extend in that serv-
ice. Intense interest has been evinced
i'll this plan, but due to the nearness
Of the convening Of the approaching
session 1t may not be developed in de-
tail in time to present to Congress as
a concrete departmental project III De-
.ember. The probabilities are, there
fore, that prescribed length Of com
missioned service in grade. with re-
ttrement Of colonies after 35 years,
Will be the gist Of the recommenda-
tons Of the Secretary Of War.
The board has acquired the impress
sion. It Is understood. as have all pre-
ViouS boards who have investigated
he Army promotion situation, that
any revision Of the list will merely
transform the discomfort and dissatis-
faction from one group Of officers to
another, and as this view still persists.
continued resistance is expected of
any change which may be proposed to
revise the list. Other plans suggested
in changing the Army system of pro-
motion would be to establish separate
promotion lists for various depart
lnents or branches where there is q
permanence Of personnel, as In the
Corps OF Engineers and Judge advo-
ate generals department, and to pro-
note Army officers according to length
II service, as in the medical depart.
ment, without regard to vacancies ex-
sting In the next higher grade. It
seems to be out of the question that
my attempt will be made to readjust
Individual positions on the Army pro-
motion list. largely on the theory that
this would not reduce the existing
state of discomfort. but would merely
continue the cause OF complaint.
OF the 20 officers of the Regular
Army who will be retired for age dur.
ing 1927. seven are major generals, six