CEG220G ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL. COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, The committee met at 10.30 o'clock a. m., Hon J. A. T. Hull (chairman) presiding. STATEMENT OF BRIG. GEN. C. H. WHIPPLE, PAYMASTER-GENERAL, U. S. ARMY, ACCOMPANIED BY R. O. KLOEBER, CHIEF CLERK. The CHAIRMAN. General, on page 8, Subsistence Department of the bill, I see that you have estimated for 207 post commissary-sergeants. That increases the number by seven. General WHIPPLE. That was the number authorized by the War Department. The CHAIRMAN. How many does the law authorize? General WHIPPLE. It is not in excess; but 200 men have usually been appropriated for, 200 commissary-sergeants. Mr. HAY. I suppose the commissary-general could explain more fully. General WHIPPLE. He could; yes, sir; undoubtedly. The CHAIRMAN. This says here, "As announced in general orders of the War Department." "I had the impression that we always have appropriated for 200 and that that was the limit of the law. General WHIPPLE. Yes, sir; as regards former appropriations. The CHAIRMAN. I have not looked it up. Does the law authorize them, by general orders, to increase and diminish the number of men? General WHIPPLE. I think so. I can probably find that information for you. The CHAIRMAN. It says it is an increase by general orders, and unless the law gives a greater number than 200, I do not see how that could be done by general orders. General WHIPPLE. That is a point I did not look up. I presume it is based on the law; but we can easily prove that. The CHAIRMAN. By your estimates this year I should judge, from the reports that I have read from the War Department, and the President's message, you have cut down to a very low estimate on the entire pay of the army. General WHIPPLE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. I wish you would explain to the committee about it. General WHIPPLE. Well, these estimates are based on the authorized strength of the army, as fixed by the President, and when they were taken to the Secretary of War he directed a reduction of a million dollars. This was accomplished by lopping off 5,000 men. 3 |