Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
Names of the Big Battleships.

Secretary Metcalf of the Navy Depart
ment today announced that one of the first
class battleships of the Dreadnaught type
will be named for the state of Delaware.
The name of the other vessel has not been
wholly determined, but it will probably be
New York after the state of that name
II that is done, however, new name will
have to be found for the armored cruiser
New York and il has been suggested that
this be called Utica, the birthplace of the
Secretary. The Secretary desired that the
cruiser be named Manhattan. but the law
provides that cruisers of the first class
must be named after cities.
Comparing Wire Guns.
Mai Gen John P Story. U. S. A,
tired Professor of Mathematics Philip r.
Algar L. S. N, and Capt Aston Hamilton,
coast artillery, composing the board APP
pointed TO consider the relative merits of
the Crozier and Brown systems of wire gun
construction. have been ordered to proceed
TO the army proving grounds at Sandy
Hook, y. j., to inspect the present condi-
ton OF the two guns now at that place and
on completion of that duty will return to
this city and resume their sessions.
Severe Examination of Cadets.
A board of army surgeons will meet at
West Point tomorrow for the purpose of
examining the FIVE hundred cadets compos-
ing the several classes at the Military
Academy. This is the second time all the
cadets have been examined in this way.
Previously the physical examination con-
Quoted annually by army surgeons was lin
tied to members of the succeeding gradual
ing class il being considered that this was
sufficient for all the purposes of military
efficiency. The three surgeons composing
the board will each examine every cadet.
Whenever defect is discovered by one of
the surgeons the cadet will be examined
thoroughly by the three doctors. The ex-
animation of the incoming class will be
we're and will cause rejection on the slight
est defect found by the examiners. the
case OF the other cadets the reflections will
be only for those defects which cannot be
waved and which would affect the individ
ual efficiency.
Accountability of Militia.
According TO a recent decision the au-
thority conferred upon the Secretary Of
War by section of the act of Congress
approved June %, 1906, amending section
1861 OF the Revised Statutes, to relieve
state or territory from further account
ability for United States property in the
lands OF It's militia that has been lost
destroyed through no fault or neglect. or
that has become unserviceable or insult
able from use in service. extends to prop
erty so lost or destroyed or rendered I'M
serviceable or unsuitable prior TO the pas
sage OF the act cited. and which has not
been accounted for otherwise. The pro-
vision in said section that the money
value OF stores lost or destroyed by reason
of carelessness or neglect on the part of
the militia shall be charged against the
allotment OF the state or territory under
section 1851 OF the Revised Statutes as
amended applies to losses due to such
causes that occurred before the passage of
the act of June %, 1905, as well as to such
losses occurring thereafter, provided that
the property so lost or destroyed has not
been accounted for otherwise.