The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-06-24


Tasker II. Bliss before 1917; Brig.
Gen. J. Franklin Bell before 1920;
Brig Gen. Leonard Wood before 1924;
Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston not be-
fore 1929 Thus, unless these officers
should suffer physical disability. the
president VIII be unable to make ap-
pointments TO the positions held by
them until their retirement The ef-
feet OF course is to lessen the chances
of Junior officers receiving advance
ment and they have not hesitated in
some instances to express their dis
approval OF a policy which, they say,
rs certain to bring about stagnation in
promotion and consequent iuefficiency
IL is further insisted that the brains
of the army are not entirely in the
heads Of the young men; tnat older
officers not only have excellent rec
ords and experience. but have trained
the youngsters to be efficient, and
they think their work should be rec
ognized By giving promotion to the
older officers. il is stated that they
would not only be complimented but
there wouiu be insured a gradual oc-
currence of vacancies through natural
causes which would enable the ad
vancement of worthy oLlcers.
But this is not the ST. Of Prcsi-
dent nuose~elr He determined
lhat as far as circumstances win per
nit that merit and merit alone shall
decide whether an officer shall be re-
warded with one or two stars. He
has shown interest in and respect for
the older officers, particularly those
who served during the Civil war, by
promoting them to be brigadier gener-
ais and retiring them. He may make
few more promotions of this charac-
ter but the list will be limited. The
question of age in the matter of perm
anent appointments is not, however,
receiving much attention from the
president and Secretary Root.
That American troops may carry as
little weight as possible in military
operations, Brig Gen. Crozier, chief
Of ordnance, has directed tnat 100 ex-
perimental rifles shall be manufact-
ured which shall be 4 inches shorter
than the service arm. The reduction
OF the length OF the rife will cause a
saving of three fourths of a pound.
Gen. Crozier says that officers and
men of the army who have been com.
PEELED to make long marches either
for practice or in pursuit of an enc
my viii appreciate the removal OF
even three-fourths OF pound. 1T is
my intention" he said ito do all in
my power to tighten the burden which
the soldier is compelled to carry"
Another Improvement which Gen.
Crozier contemplates relates to the
automatic opening OF the breech OF
rapid fire guns. IL this can be done,
and Gen. Crozier believes 1t can be,
greater rapldity OF fire win be attain
ed, and later still, there will be less
danger of serious accidents, Frequent
ly in artillery practice, hanghres oc-
cur. The thrush OF fresh air often
causes the spark produced when the
primer is struck, to burst into flame,
an explosion occurs and men are bad
ly hurt On board the battleship Mars,
of the English service, hang fire and
premature opening Of the breech
caused the death Of several men and
the practical wrecking Of one Of the
vessels turrets. BY the adoption OF
an automatic invention, the breeeh
win not Of course open until the
charge explodes; and If hang fire
occurs the officer wiz not permit the
men to open the breech until a reas-
enable time has elapsed