A Letter

The Honorable John W. Weeks, Secretary of War, addressed the follow-ing letter to the Military Affairs Committees of both Houses of Congress:

"The General of the armies of the United States, Gen. John J. Pershing, will reach the statutory age for retirement from active service on September 13, 1924, under the provisions of the act of June 30, 1882, which states:

" 'When an officer is 64 years of age he shall be retired from active service and placed on the retired list.' . . .

"His vast fund of accumulated experience as commanding General of our armies in Europe and his virile interest in our military establishment in questions affecting the national defense are reasons which convince me that a great mistake will be made if the pres-ent law on the subject of retirement is allowed to bar further active military service to the nation by him.

"I am therefore submitting for your consideration in this matter the follow-ing bill:

"A bill

" 'To authorize the General of the armies to remain on the active list.

" 'Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That nothing contained in the act of June 30, 1882, making appropriations for the support of the army shall be construed to require the retirement of the present General of the armies from active sevice upon his reaching the age of 64 years.'"