Evening star., 1947-11-28
Decision Due Monday
On Extent Of Probe
Of Military Pensions
By John A. Giles

retirement OF Army ana navy OIL
flcers for disability reasons, thus en-
titling them to tax-exempt pensions,
will be decided Monday by the
House Armed Forces Committee,
Chairman Andrews said today.
The prospective committee action,
along with a request by the White
House for list of all officers of the
armed services who have received
disability retirements since VI day,
again focused attention on a mat
ter brought to the fore by revela-
ton of the activities of Maj. Gen.
Bennett E. Meyers.
Gen. Meyers deputy chief pur-
chasing officer for the Army Air
Forces during the war, was retired
for disability reasons and received
taX-free income of $549 a month
until the Army cut it off after the
recent congressional investigation.
Short Criticizes Situation.
Several House members have
charged that the proportion Of
those officers receiving disability
retirements and those being retired
for nondisability reasons-not en-
titling them to tax-exempt pensions
was too small. Representative
Short, Republican, of Missouri, an
Armed Forces Committee member,
said "the whole matter smells"
Representative Vinson, Democrat,
Of Georgia, ranking minority men,
Der OF the committee, said today
that he felt the whole matter
should be thoroughly inquired into"
Mr.. Andrews said the groups legal
would decide Monday
on the form of investigation to be
made. ... ..-.. ..es>
The White House request, Mr. An
drews added, will have mo bearing"
on the action of the committee. He
would not say whether public hear
ings would be held until after the
decision of the subcommittee.
No Information on Use.
White House Press Secretary
Charles q. Ross said today that the
President simply wanted the list of
retirements for his infor-
may eventuate I don't
know"
That was his response to a ques-
ton as to whether the White House
had any thought of acting to de-
prive any officers of their tax-free
status under disability retirement.
He first answered "No" to the
question, then said he didn't know
what use would be made of the list.
The list was requested by Maj.
Gen. Harry H. Vaughan, the Presi-
dents military aide.
The retirement payments to Gen.
Meyers were stopped abruptly on
orders from Gen. Eisenhower, Army
chief of staff, in the wake Of testi-
mony before the Senate War Inves-
tigating subcommittee regarding his
activities.
At the time Gen. Meyers pay was
Secretary of the Air
Force Symington said at a press
that he was not sure OF
The legal grounds for the action, but
,oday the department announced
hat complete review Of the stat
ltes showed that lit could be le-
sally supported"
The Air Force, working closely
With the Justice Department, also
said it probably would have an an
louncement within two or three
lays on charges to be brought
against the former deputy procure
nent officer in court-martial pro-
:eedings.
Navy Figures Not Available.
Officers retired for disability re-
,eived three-quarters of base pay.
Three hundred and sixty-four re-
Tired Regular Army and Air Force
generals are drawing such tax-free
pensions at present. The Navy has
aot yet made public its retirement
figures.
The Army, in charts compiled for
The Star, disclosed that 2,505 regu-
ar officers of the Army and Air
Force had been retired physically
since June 80. 1910. Those retired
'or nondisability reasons during the
same period totaled 1883, of which
,8 were generals.
A total Of 26,377 nonregular ofi-
,ers Of the two services have been
certified to the Veterans Admins
ration for retirement benefits dur
ng the same period.
At its peak strength during the
var the Army and AAF had nearly
,000, 900 officers, of whom approx
n talu II f0n mara reo1llars