Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-08
Army andNavyNews

hands Of the service but three weeks.
grave fears are entertained In Ger.
tain quarters over three provisions
enforced separation, even with the
doubtful cash confederation: examina.
ma ton for promotion under the terms
contemplated, and the arbitrary and
final authority respecting classified.
ton. There are a number Of officers
on duty In Washington and vicinity
who feel that the boards recon.
mendations will not eliminate the pro-
motion hump" OF more than $500
officers, for which II was primarily
convened to evolve a solution. En-
forced separation az a means OF cor.
recting the evils Of the prevailing sit.
uation, or as an aid to promotion
Of officers who continue on the active
list, has all the hazards and disad'
vantages Of selection, in or out. which
some officers view with real apprehen'
sion. There appears to be considera.
BILE objection to the method Of selec.
ton through the agency OF a board OF
general officers, 1t being pointed out
that the elimination powers conferred
on this board are too drastic, an from
its decision there Is no appeal, and
not even the President or the Secre.
tary Of War would have the right to
review or reverse 1t.
There appears to be little faith In
the entire or permanent extinction OF
the World War hump" since no
matter what arrangement r. made by
discharge or retirement OF certain OF
ficers now causing stagnation. there
will he a succession OF groups oil
greater or less dimensions to con-
tinue as a block to advancement.
Relative to prescribed periods OF
service to regulate percentage on
base pay upon retirement. some
critics point out that there should
not be such a distinction as 2la per
cent for officers of more than 30
years service and 2i4 per cent for
those with between 20 and 80 years
service, or the further difference
| which II made between officers com.
missioned after reaching the age OF
As years and who receive 4 per cent
| of base pay for years Of service and
those officers commissioned before
| reaching that age and who receive
but az per cent. Whatever IL ulti-
mately adopted az q percentage of
pay for separation or retirement In
the varying conditions anticipated. IL
Is felt that there should be provided
a minimum as a protection of indi.
sliding scale Of 50 per cent Of the
base pay.
The new Army Manual Of Courts
Martial. now In press. will become
effective April 1. The first copies will
be ready for distribution this month.
but. in accordance with a previous
practice. the first issues will be sent
N ha Ir,5n "a he Ia ia
regions close to Washington. The
new manual Is less than half the
size OF the one now in use, and, II is
understood, the method of procedure
Is much shortened and simplified and
will be more effective in its opera
ton. AS far as possible, mandatory
provisions. except where specified by
statute. are now eliminated as such
and become matters for the discre-
ton and good Judgment Of the court.
A board OF medical officers of the
Regular Army will meet tomorrow at
l pm. In Room 1901. Temporary Build.
ing No. S. for the purpose OF conduct
ing the annual physical examination
of officers OF the Regular establish.
ment on duty in Washington. The
board viii be governed by the pro-
Ntsious ot ARMY EeSuiaIiOnS NO. ~
100. The board win be composed of
the following officers. all of whom
with the exception of one indicated.
dental officer. are medical officers:
Col. Henry c. Fisher. Majs. John W.
Meehan. Robert Du r. Harden, Frank
w. Wilson and Ward s. Wells. Capts.
Lawrence X. Anderson. Dental Corps:
Paul III. STREET. William C.. Porter.
James n. Williams. Charles r. Muelle.
William ID. Fleming and William d.
Gill.