Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS

Mayo. from navy yard. New York. N. Y.
to naval station, Tutuia, Samoa, and
Annapolis.
Naval Constructor H. Williams and AS
sistant Naval Constructors A. B. Court.
E. o. Fitch, r. B. Hilliard. L. S. Border
j. c. Sweeney and ]. o. Gawne have
been commissioned.
H. L. Olmstead, late carpenter, USN..
wholly retired from the service, with one
years pay.
Naval Movements.
The yacht Mayfiower has arrived on the
Cuban target grounds.
The gunboat Paducah has sailed from
Port au Prince for Curacao and the tor
pedo boat Chauncey from Cavite for
Saigon.
The Chester Delivered.
The Navy Department has been advised
that the scout cruiser Chester has been
turned over to the government by her
yard. She will be put in commission In
few days under the command of Com
mander H. B. Wilson.
Ninety Mile Ride Test.
The conditions Of the proposed ninety
mile test ride which the President last
year directed should be taken during the
coming summer by all field officers of the
army have been arranged. The ride will
be taken in August or early September.
The plan for the officers stationed at
Washington, and the same plan will be
followed elsewhere in the various depart
ments, Is to ride thirty miles a day and
go into camp under as comfortable con-
ditions as can be secured. The camp will
be placed thirty miles from Washington.
mr. hn hna 4~t4
the case may be. A troop of cavalry will
be sent there to make camp, tents will
be pitched for as many officers as partici-
pate In the ride. and cooking accommoda-
lions VIII be provided. The first days
ride Will be from Washington to this
camp. The night will be spent COM
fortably. and the second day out the route
will be fifteen miles out from camp and
back. second night will be spent in
camp, and the next day the return will
be made to Washington.
Candidates for Army Commission.
Examinations will be held at various
places in the United States May of can
didates for appointment to the junior
grade in the army medical corps. There
are seventy-five candidates, a larger num-
Der than has ever before been examined
Another examination will be held In Au-
gust, when 1t is expected as many more
i
sixty vacancies in the grade of first lieu
tenant IN the corps, ten of which vacan-
cles will be filled by the appointment OF
that number of Professionally qualified
candidates who have been under instruc-
ton at the Army Medical School In WASH
ington.
Launch Of the Collier Vestal.
The new $l.5oO.OOO feet collier Vestai
will be launched at the navy yard New
York at 7:30 am. May 10. The honor OF
christening the vessel. which is the larg-
est collier ever built for any navy, has
been conferred on Miss Goodrich, dadgt-
ter Of Rear Admiral Goodrich. command
ant Of the yard. 1t is expected that the
Secretary Of the Navy and other WASH
ington officials will be present.
Annual Target Practice.
In letter to Gen. Bell. chief Of staff,
in regard to the annual target practice
Gen. Carter. commanding the Depart
ment of the Lakes, says:
There is no disposition to hunt up OBJ
stacles to any scheme which the depart
ment may wish to inaugurate. but, in my
opinion, the army as a whole will be far
more efficient II the companies are al
lowed In future to have their target prac-
tice. field exercises and practice marches
with officers present during the summer
months. even II competitions have to be
abandoned altogether. The strain OF pro-
viding range officers under the new regu-
lations for target practice and the particle
patton of large number Of Officers in
the firing leaves the companies in de-
plorable state for some weeks of the best
part Of the open season. The actual re-
suits indicate the need OF q reconsidera-
ton Of the whole body Of orders govern
ing instruction and allotment of time
with a view to relieving the strain and
obtaining all-around efficiency more In
harmony with the past reputation Of the
regular army"
Comparative Test Of Engines.
Arrangements are being made for ex-
tensive comparative tests OF the three
scout cruisera SalAHn rhAzfn. ana yair..