Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-11
HOOVER BANS CUT
IN OFFICERS PAY
Rumored Reductions in Rent
and Subsistence Allow.
anCes Are Tabooed.
BY REX COLLIER.

Although he is DESTROYS or cutting
military expenses as much as possible,
President Hoover has closed the door
to one avenue of reduction because it
would conflict with the policy of main
tanning weges at present levels.
He has just tabooed any reduction in
the rental and subsistence allowance OF
Army, Navy and Marine Corps officers,
it was learned on good authority today.
Rumors of an impending "readjust
ment" of the allowance scale to cen
form with the lowered costs of living
have been current in naval circles for
more than a week. The speculation is
said TO have arisen in connection with
plans for effecting greater economies
in naval expenditures.
Relieves Officers Anxiety.
The decision of the President to APP
prove the existing scale for the fiscal
year beginning July l will relieve the
anxiety of officers who had learned of
the reports OF a pay slash.
The President, under the present law,
has authority to revise the rental and
subsistence allowances downward, pro-
viding reports from the Department of
Labor regarding reduced living costs
warrant a decrease. He has no authority
to increase the allowances, however.
The allowances vary according 10
rank, length of service and number of
dependents of officers. The maximum
daily allowance for food permitted by
law is 60 cents, or S2l9 year. When
on shore duty and not quartered in
Government buildings, officers are given
a rental allowance of from $3.50 10 $3.50,
according to rank. When on field or
sea duty the officers receive no rental
allowances.
The subsistence allowance is increased
for officers having dependents. The
dep ndency allowances range from $3.50
to 81 ,440, according to rank.
Backed by Pay Board.
officers of the three services have con-
tended the allowances should be con-
Sidered in conjunction with their basic
pay as their full salary. and this view
mas been supported by the Interdepart-
mental Pay Board, created several years
ago to investigate pay of officers.
Apparently the White House shares
this opinion. too. A reduction in the
allowances to meet the decline in living
costs undoubtedly would have pre-
cipitated a howl from those who have
held that allowances and basic pay are
inseparabe.
while authority has existed for a
presidential order reducing rental and
food allowances. there has been no
occasion to invoke it during the past
years OF prosperity.
Living costs have declined approx
mately 10 per cent during the past year,
according to Government statisticians.
This estimate is based on retail prices
of foods. clothing and other products.
10 per cent reduction in subsistence
allowances would have effected quite
saving in pay expenditures during the
coming year.
May Reduce Marines.
While pay and allowances will be
maintained. the military and naval
establishments will seek to economic in
other ways. The latest move. announced
today by acting Secretary of the Navy
Jahncke, is to reduce the strength OF
the Marine Corps
Mr.. Jahncke said that Mai Gen. Ben
H. Fuller. commandment OF the Marine
Corps has suggested that the Marine
strength be cut from 1880 to about
10000 men. saving of $l,000,000
would result. he declared.
In line with the suggestion, Gen.
Fuller has ordered that no more new
recruits be signed and he has made
plans for closing several of the smaller
recruiting stations. Only men desiring
to re-enlist will be accepted, under the
new ruling.
Gen. Fuller said today he has re-
ceived no instructions to reduce the
Marine force lower than the 1880 men
now enrolled. The corps is authorized
to maintain a strength of 27,500 men,
but the actual size of the corps de-
ponds on the annual appropria tions,
he explained. Last year funds were
provided for $4,000 men.