PAY AND ALLOWANCE OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE ARMY. SEPTEMBER 26, 1918.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. DENT, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 12936.] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 12936) to prescribe the pay and allowance of any officer of the Army while holding a brevet grade, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the following as a substitute: That during the existing emergency any officer of the Army holding a brevet grade while serving as a member of the Supreme War Council under order of the President shall be entitled to the pay and allowance of such grade. In support of this bill the committee submits a copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of War, hereto attached. According to the letter of the Acting Secretary the bill is intended to cover the case of Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, who is serving this country with great distinction on the Supreme War Council. It was thought, however, that the language of the bill as introduced was too general, and in view of the fact that it was intended to cover only the case of Gen. Bliss, it was thought that the language of the bill should be so limited. Also, amend the title of the bill by striking out the words "any officer" and inserting the words "certain officers." WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 21, 1918. House of Representatives. To the CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, MY DEAR MR. DENT: It is requested that there be incorporated in the next urgent deficiency legislation the following bill: "That hereafter any officer of the Army holding a brevet grade shall be entitled to pay and allowance of such grade while on duty thereunder by order of the President, and any officer who has been so serving during the present war shall be entitled to the pay and allowances of his brevet grade for such service already rendered.” The above requested legislation would affect only one officer at the present time, Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, who is a member of the Supreme War Council and whose important duties in this connection warrant his receiving the pay and emoluments of his brevet rank. The Court of Claims has held that "Since the act of March 3, 1865 (13 Stat., 488), officers of the Army have not been entitled to the pay and emoluments of brevet rank, though assigned to duty as such by the President, and having command accordingly." The relief desired can therefore be obtained only through appropriate legislation. Respectfully, BENEDICT CROWELL, Acting Secretary of War. PAY FOR ARMY AND NAVY NURSE CORPS DURING INVOLUNTARY CAPTIVITY. SEPTEMBER 26, 1918.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. HARRISON of Virginia, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT. To accompany H. R. 12860.] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 12860) granting to members of the Army Nurse Corps (female) and the Navy Nurse Corps (female) pay and allowances during any period of involuntary captivity by the enemy of the United States, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment: On page 1, line 4, after the word "(female)," insert the following language: "Army field clerks, field clerks, Quartermaster Corps, or civil employees of the Army." In support of the measure there is attached hereto a copy of a letter from Acting Secretary of War Benedict Crowell: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 18, 1918. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SIR: The attention of the War Department has been called to H. R. 12860, a bill granting to the Army Nurse Corps (female) and Navy Nurse Corps (female) pay and allowances during any period of involuntary captivity by the enemy of the United States. While as yet there has been no report received by the War Department that any of the members of the Army Nurse Corps have been captured by the enemy, such a condition might arise. On July 16, 1918, the Comptroller of the Treasury, in a letter to the Secretary of War, stated in part as follows: "The question whether members of the Army Nurse Corps, field clerks, or other civilian employees of the War Department are entitled to pay while held as prisoners of war by an enemy nation, or for the period for which they may be reported as 'missing,' is answered in the negative because neither of the classes of employees named is included in the statute as being entitled to receive during his captivity the pay, subsistence, and allowance therein provided, and the conditions of 'missing' are too numerous and complex to render a decision which could govern as a precedent, unless these conditions are known." The bill, H. R. 12860, referred to will provide for the members of the Army Nurse Corps and they shall be entitled to the same privileges as to pay and allowances that are granted to others of the Army of which they are a part. The bill, however, in its present form does not provide for Army field clerks, field clerks, Quartermaster Corps, or civil employees of the Army, all of whom should be included. It is requested that you use your endeavor to secure the amendment of the bill as outlined above to include all those who are now excluded by the decision of the Comptroller of the Treasury. The early enactment of the amended bill is recommended. Respectfully, 2d Session. No. 818. INCREASED PAY FOR MILITARY ACADEMY CADETS. SEPTEMBER 27, 1918.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. LUNN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT: [To accompany H. R. 12834.] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 12834) providing increased pay for cadets of the Military Academy, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendments: On page 1, line 3, strike out the word "hereafter" and insert in lieu thereof "during the present emergency.' On page 1, line 4, after the word "at," strike out the figures "$780" and insert in lieu thereof “$800.” On page 1, line 6, after the word "post," strike out the period and insert a colon, and add the following language: Provided, That this act shall take effect and be operative from and after July first, nineteen hundred and eighteen. In support of the measure there is attached hereto letters from Hon. Benedict Crowell, Acting Secretary of War, together with statement and letters from Col. S. E. Tillman, Superintendent of the West Point Military Academy. The letters and statement follow. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 7, 1918. House of Representatives. DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a copy of a bill (H. R. 12834) providing increased pay for cadets of the Military Academy, upon which you request a report, and to inform you that it has been sent to the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy for a complete report as soon as possible. When it shall have been received you will be further advised. Very respectfully, The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, BENEDICT CROWELL, WAR DEPARTMENT, House of Representatives. DEAR SIR: Referring further to your request for any information in the War Department relative to H. R. 12834, providing for increased pay for cadets of the Military Academy, I beg leave to invite attention to the inclosed report of the superintendent of the academy, and also to the inclosed copies of papers mentioned by him. Favorable consideration of this bill is urgently requested by the War Department. Very respectfully, BENEDICT CROWELL, Acting Secretary of War. |