Evening star., 1927-04-17

for age comprise
hut a small part of annual separa-
tions from the active list.
A certain amount of misunder-
standing, it was explained in the War
Department last week, appears to be
shared by a large number of Army
officers, especially those on duty in
Washington, relative TO the Wads-
worth proposal which would require
an annual attrition OF not less than 4
per cent among the commissioned per-
8onnel of the Regular establishment.
In more than one instance, it is said
casualties" as published in recent
Army Registers, have been used as a
basis for predicting future losses, neg
1ecting the fact that transfers to the
retired list are not included in such
published casualties. For instance,
the total separations from active ser
vice during the 1926 fiscal year. ex-
elusive of the Medical Department and
the chaplains, number 307, whereas
casualties published in the Army Reg
listers covering the same period num-
ber only 247, so retirements not be-
ing included in the latter. Consider
alton must be given to separations
over a longer period in the past than
one year and to future influences that
piled in the past. Among such in
fluences are prospective increases or
decreases in the number Of resigna-
tions, retirements for age, for dis
ability, and upon application. Taking
all factors into account, it is be.
lieVed that the future average annual
normal loss of about 3 per cent will
prove to be a conservative estimate.
War Department authorities are
doubtful that those officers who rec
ommend that automatic retirement
upon attaining a specified age in each
grade be put into effect in the Army
fully comprehend the obstacles to it's
application. In our Navy and all
other military and naval services
where such a system is in effect it is
associated with promotion by selec-
tion. The officers retired for age in
grade have had opportunity to be Sc
lected for promotion and have been
passed over. but such would not be
the case in the Army, except for colo
nels. A very practical difficulty, it
was pointed out in the War Depart
ment last week, lies in the very large
number of excellent officers now in the
Army who are relatively old for their
rank, many of whom are comparative
ly recent appointees and who would
bC ISllICO SUCH d SyS-
TEN. For example, automatic retire.
ment at the ages fixed for correspond.
ing grades in the Navy by the act of
August g. 1916, would cause initially
the following retirements in the Army,
exclusive of the Medical Department
and the chaplains: $50 colonels over
SS years, $40 lieutenant colonels over
so years, AIS majors over As years. In
the event that officers below the grade
of major were also retired. If over 45
years of age, there would be added to
the above $50 captains over As years
and 65 first lieutenants over As years
OF age.
An Army retiring board, of which
Maj. Gen. Herbert D. Crosby, chief of
Cavalry, is president, has been ap-
pointed to meet here from time to time
for the examination of such officers as
may be ordered before it, The other
members of the board re: Brig. Gen.
Frank r. Keefer, assistant to the sur
geon general; Coils. Casper H. Conrad,
jr., I. G. D.: Andrew Moses, r. A.;
Wiley Howell, Inf; Roger s. Fitch,
Cav; Lieut.. Col. James d. Fife, NJ. c.;
Maj. Daniel w. Harmon, NJ c., and
First Lieut.. Robert w. Ransford, s.
G. MajS. Austin J. Canning and
IS
have been detailed as medical exami-
ners and witnesses before the board.
Col. Frank H. Burton, @. M. c., has
terminated his duties in the Office of
the Assistant Secretary of War, and
has been assigned to duty ii the Office
of the quartermaster general. Maj.
Edward Montgomery, c. w. S., now
on duty at Edgewood Arsenal, Md,
has been assigned to duty in the Office
of the chief of Chemical Warfare Serv-
ice, this city, effective May 1. Capt
David c. G. Schlenker, S. c., on duty
at the Military Academy, West Point,
viii report for duty to the chief signal
Ofiicer of the Army, this city, effective
not earlier than June IS.
Navy.
The composition of the next board
% recommend line officers of the Navy
FOR promotion to the grades of rear
admiral, captain and commander is be-
ing given serious consideration in the
Navy Department. A definite conven-
ing date has NOT up to the present