Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-04

Kings horses can't do for Humpty
Dumpty.
I On the other hand, the supporters Of
the four-year cycle argue that when ON
GERS stay longer In one place they be-
come bureaucratic and more partisan to
their locale than to the Army.
X \ *
The principal argument In favor Of
changing the status of the heads Of de-
partments within the Army Is that 1t
gives more rapid promotion to the
younger officers. But the concern for
these young officers according to charges
by Congressmen-notably Representative
McSwain, author of an amendment to
the Wainwright law of 1920 establishing
the promotions In the Army-seems to
be limited to the officers already IN the
Regular Army and against the "emer-
gency officers who entered the war from
civilian life and desired to remain in
the Regular Army after the armistice.
According to Mr.. McSwain's speech in
the House, there are about 900 emer-
gency captains that were put on the
promotion list below first neutenants
and second lieutenants Of the Regular
Army and about 800 first lieutenants
that were placed upon the list below
second lieutenants Of the Regular Army.
The statistics show that these 900 cap
tains are. on the average, about 10
years older than those lieutenants who
precede them on the promotion list"
Yet the law provided for appointment Of
emergency officers below the grade of
brigadier general upon their qualifica-
tions," and that presupposed an exami-
nation to determine their respective
qualifications.
The policy attempted by the Regular
Army, as expressed by Mai. Summers of
the general staff, is that all emergency
officers, entering the Regular Army,
should come In as second lieutenants,
regardless Of their rank during the war,
their military experience, their educa-
ton or their qualifications. Their
previous service should not be counted;
only the drill Of Regular Army service
should count.
That has not been sanctioned by
precedent nor practice. Andrew jackson
became brigadier general In the Reg
ular Army. without previous connection
with the Army. So did Frederick Fun
Ston.
Leonard Wood resigned rs surgeon
and was made colonel Of volunteers,
and later brigadier general. Under
the present policies Of the War Depart
ment, according to Representative Nc
Swain, Regular Army youths are made
majors at % years Of age, while "emer-
gency oificers" are barred from the rank
of major until they have passed the age
Of IS, regardless Of qualifications. He
cites one emergency lieutenant colonel
Of the World War, who was obliged to
accept the grade of captain in the Reg
ular Army after the war, and for 10
years he has served in that grade, while
hedglings of the Regular Army direct
have gone up over him.
It was not SO prior to the World War.
Gen. Hunter Liggett served In the Regu-
lar Army 10 years before he became q
captain, Gen. John r. Morrison served
II years, Gen. Robert L. Billiard is
years and Gen. John J. Pershing Is
years below the grade Of captain-all
as Regular Army juniors. Today the
campaign experience Of the World War
is declared by champions Of the emer-
gency officers to be an equivalent Offset
for many years routine in the maneu-
vers Of men who never smelled powder
Of an enemy, to drill into them the
practice. Of military acumen.
n
The obvious recourse open to any
officer who feels abused Is TO resign
and re-enter civil life on his merits. But
according to some officers faced with
that dilemma that has not proved q
complete solution, so far as concerns
the interests Of the Army itself. A GER
tain officer of high rank was offered.
within the last three years, . civilian
connection as an expert paying him
$4,000 year. He declined It. saying
that he preferred his Army status, even
at less than half that income. He had
little ambition to make money, but was
intensely interested In his work In the
Army.
The thing that counts IN public
way, say the efficiency advocates. b not
the personal interests or predictions
Of the individual, but the welfare and
eficiency of the Army as the servant
Of the country. They argue that 1t is
not rood business stp sacrifice ear, 900
laan who can be Aeta lined 81 $500, "a