Evening star., 1935-03-02
GEN. BUTLER HITS
PROMOTION BOARD
Tells Committee Hearing
Russell Confirmation
of Prejudice.
R~ the Associated Press.

Atf Lno ASSOCldIeu EIcSS-
An accusation by Maj. Gen. Smed-
ley D. Butler, retired, that Marine
Corps officers who rise from the ranks
are victims of prejudice in the matter
Of promotion was disclosed today by
the Senate Naval Committee.
The statement brought quick de-
i1ial from the Marine Corps comman-
dant, Gen. John H. Russell
The assertions were contained in
the record of hearings by the commit
tee on a proposal to confirm the ap-
pointment of Russell to the perma-
nent grade of major general. The
appointment. which has been report
ed out to the Senate by the commit
tee, is fought by Senator Black, DEM
ocrat, of Alabama.
The report delved in detail into
complaints by Senator Black that Ma
rine officers were denied promotion
unless they could win favor of men,
pers of a board assertedly dominated
by Gen. Russell.
Russell Makes Denial.
The commandant denied this, in
sisting the board was a properly au-
thorized creation of Congress to OBJ
tain the promotion of desirable Off
GERS.
Gen. Butler looked upon the board
as a reflection upon the Marine Corps.
He said:
With reference to one man, a
captain named Cukela who has two
medals of honor, one given by the
Army and one given by the Navy,
for heroism during the World War, he
has been dropped. He was dropped
last year, and was dropped again
this year.
"I know this man. He served with
me many times. To be sure, his table
manners are not good, but it was my
impression we we're not running a
knitting society.
Scholars" Retained.
Z noticed, on the other hand, in
many instances officers who have
never server with troops and never
commanded troops, and all of their
service has been on basic duties 60
ing to the school somewhere, are re-
tanned
II noticed also that a large num-
Der of those men who came from the
ranks had been dropped
DO you mean to imply that preju-
dice is shown in the matter of pro-
motion toward those men who came
from the ranks. in comparison with
the men who have come from the
Academy" Asked Senator Walsh,
Democrat, of Massachusetts,.
'I do, sir" Butler replied
This in turn was denied by Gen
Russell.
Gen. Buffers idea that graduates
of the Naval Academy dominate the
Marine Corps is entirely erroneous. -
he said. He went on to review the
case of Capt. Cukela, mentioned by
Gen. Butler as dropped" by the pro-
motion board.
Approved Decision.
This officer was not selected by the
Junior Selection Board, over which ]
could not possibly have had any con-
troll" the commandant said. 'HGw-
ever, I will say that approve the de-
cision of the board"
He said a distinguished colonel
who headed the board informs me
that he (Cukela) did not receive a
single vote of 18 of his brother nffi-
GERS In recommendation for promo
ton.
The report came as an aftermath
to the rollicking story told Oh the
floor of the Senate Thursday oy Sen
ator Black that Gen. Russell. as 4
major of Marines, had called for re-
Inducements when a lone Mexican
with a white flag" told him his bat
talon was surrounded
The report of the hearings con-
tanned both the story as related by
Gen. Butler, and as denied by Gen.
Russell.
An agreement was reached in the
Senate yesterday to have RuSsell's
confirmation up for approval at 3 pm.
Monday, but Senator Black held to his
right to move to have it sent back TO
committee for further investigation.