Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-23

National Federation Of Federal En-
ployes.
william Green, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor, is pre-
pairing to take q hand in the fight, both
on the retirement proviso and on that
section which would give the President
the right to modify or cancel exist
ing Government contracts.
While this letter apparently Is aimed
at air and ocean mail obligations
which have been under fire from time
to time, fears were expressed yesterday
that in the absence Of more specific
language it might be construed to &C
far afield.
Green said that organized labor was
alarmed lest it be used to cancel public
works contracts, to the detriment OF
metal trades and buildings unions.
Assailed in Senate.
At the same time 1t was assailed in
the Senate by Senator Reed, Repub-
lican, Of Pennsylvania. Declaring that
such power is in fun conformity with
the currency expansion embodied in the
Thomas amendment" the Pennsylvania
Senator said news stories interpreted
this contract provision to entail even
the right to cancel Government bonds
Senators King, Democrat, Of Utah
and Ashurst, Democrat, of Arizona
were quick to assure the Pennsylvania
that this could not be, although they
said they were not fully acquainted with
the administration recommendation.
King said the recommendation Seems
to relate solely" to mail contracts which
were under investigation by the Senate
If ha
lieved were tainted with fraud"
If any such contracts were Cancelled
King said, the holders undoubtedly
would have their day in court" and
be compensated for any loss.
Precedent to Be Avoided.
In connection with the plan to fur
Tough Army officers, which has already
caused stir, President Roosevelt said
this would not constitute precedent
simplifying similar action was taken
following the War of 1872 and the
Civil War.
In the case of the effort to head of
cuts in the War Department, scheduled
to total $4,000, 900 in 1894, history Is
simply repeating itself, after lapse Of
113 years.
In 1880. War Department records
show, there was a movement on foot
to curtail materially its activities.
In q report to the House drawn UP
by Secretary Of War j. H. Eaton on
october 20, 1880, it was stated that
the Army could be reduced to q peace
by the furlough system. The wal
strength at that time was placed al
24,060 officers and men. The present
strength of the Army Is $4,000 officers
and approximately $4,000 men.
Eaton in his report warned that
the peace establishment of the Depart
ment had more important duties tt
perform and higher destinies to achieve
than any other army on the globe.
Continuing, he said:
TT Is not the policy of the country
to retain, in time Of peace, q large
military establishment, particularly
numerous fSoldiery; but it is Of the ut
most importance to educate and retain
a body of officers sufficient for all the
labors preparatory to war, capable Of
forming soldiers, Of supplying them
and putting them in motion In the
event OF war" .
Cites 1872 Conditions.
As to this country's military achieve
ments in the War of 1872, Eaton as.
serted: 1.-THE voice of the whole
country was for war, and we plunged
into it without proper organization
Of the Army, or any Of those prepare
tions which It was our duty to make
and which an ordinary degree Of fore.
sight must have demonstrated to bt
necessary, and, having committed thu
blunder, we neglected the only means
by which the disastrous results Of ON
measures could have been averted.
- I'm place Of calling forth the tntelli.
gent, well instructed officers Of the ole
corps. and employing them where theil
talents and requirements would hav'
been useful to the country, the higher
ranks Of the Army were filled, for tn
most part, by men selected rather fol
their political influence than theil
military fitness.
1.-THE consequence was that We hat
no discipline or subordination In oul
L. - A~~af d