The Washington herald., 1909-04-06

Former President Roosevelrs order
prescribing q riding and walking test for
the officers OF the American navy IS
rapidly placing officers OF the department
m the hospitals for much needed repairs.
-Four officers Of the Navy Department
have already been injured, and unless
President Taft revokes the test, n 50 far
as the navy men are concerned. the num-
Der Of victims win probably be increased
Officials Of the Navy Department con-
tend that the test as prescribed by Nj
Roosevelt IS not applicable TO them. for
the simple reason that in THAR training
as naval officers they received no IN
structions In horseback or bicycle riding.
or in walking 50 many miles IN a day.
It may be that somebody VIII bring the
matter 10 the attention OF President TAFT.
and that he VIII be prevailed upon 70
revoke the Roosevelt order.
Jones the Latest Victim.
Lieut. Eeedham Lee Jones. OF the Bu-
reau Of Navigation, Navy Department.
/ Is confined 10 his home here suffering
with bad cut on the head and two bro
ken wrists. He received the injuries last
sat'.rday afternoon while riding a b.
cycle in accordance with the physical
tests prescribed for all naval officers by
| former President Roosevelt
Following closely the serious Injuries
/ sustained BY Lieut. Semmes Read. who
nearly lost his life while riding IN Rock
! Creek Park recently IN order 70 train for
the horseback test. and injuries sustained
by Lieut.. Commander Powers Sming-
I ton. OF the Naval Intelligence .Once. and
Pay Inspector George ". simpson. both
( q whom were injured within lie Irsr tyvo
weeks training for the test, naval officers
! consider the accidents as Indicative OF the
/ drawback OF the entire system which
they say accompIishes no other good
than 20 teach the officers 10 risk life and
/ limb IN practicing for something which
officers say can never be Of any service
10 the Navy Department
/ Lieut.. Commander Symington. while
riding horseback near the Kenesaw aparr-
/ nlent house. Sixteenth and Irving sfree.s
/ northwest. two weeks ago. was thrown
/ from his horse and broke hts shoulder
Il was considered miraculous that he es-
caPed without more serious injury.
/ Pay Inspector Simpson had a rib broken
/ in fall from q horse about the same
/ time and has been under the doctors
caro- almost constantly until a few davs
ago. when he was sufficiently recuprated
70 make trip 10 New York. The con
/ dition OF Lieut. Read. who Is at the
! Naval General Hospital, Is such that his
I physicians doubt II he is ever able 10
regain his health, while his escape from
death as a consequence OF his accident
/ IS considered miraculous
Never Had Any Practice.
In commenting on these cases naval
officers at the Navy Departments yester-
/ day said Il was not so much = question
! Of officers being able to ride horseback.
as It IS a question OF officers being able
TO take severe horseback riding tests. Sor
which they have had absolutely no prae-
tice, and which they never intend to DO
IN the career as officers.
In response to inquiry, officers said
no effort had yet been made 70 have
/ President Taft change the test regula-
tons OF the navy. but that It was hoped
/ the President would dc Il OF his own