Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-20

the Army and Navy Register.
1t was recently held by the comptroller
Of the treasury that the signal corps Of
the army could not purchase an automo-
bile out of the appropriations authorized
by congress because no mention of such
vehicle was made and its use was not alb
solutely necessary. In view of such a de-
clsion the question was raised as to
whether or not five Rambler bicycles
could be purchased for use by the signal
corps linemen in the repair of military
telegraph lines and by messengers I'm de-
livering kilograms passing over such
lines. The assistant comptroller holds
that the bicycles appear to he necessary
as a part Of the signal corps equipment
and operation of the army telegraph lines
and he has approved of such purchase.
A special board Of commissary officers
I'm periodical session at Fort Riley. kas.,
has nearly completed its compilation of a
new army cook book and a bakers book.
The former will replace a publication
which was not entirely satisfactory in
that Il was in some respects too Fancy
in its recipes. The book was made up
with the aid Of a specially employed
F1enCn CneI. Inc new eulllOu w GU
body the results OF the practical expert
ence of army cooks and will have recipes
which contemplate the use of the army
ration, both in garrison and in the field.
The bakers book will give a description
of bread baking applicable to work at the
post as well as in the field.
II need not surprise the people who are
specially interested if the 3,O0O-mile wire
less station. originally proposed for loca-
ton in Washington. Is not built at all
It has been found that so much opposl-
ton attended the installation OF the plant
in the neighborhood of the Washington
monument that il would be quite as well,
all things considered, If the station were
not located anywhere near the national
capitol. although a site at Annapolis has
been recommended as suitable for the pur-
pose. At the same time Secretary heyer
is inclined to question whether there -
sufficient advantage derivable from the
big station to justify the expenditure OF
the amount of money involved.
The infantry soldier of our eTmy Tor
some time has been without a knapsack
| or other receptacle suitable for carrying
on his person his personal belongings
The nee0 OF some adequate lhSohS iNi '~
soldier to carry articles of this kind with
him on the march in military operations
has long been felt. In view of this tact
a board OF officers has been ordered 10
| convene at the Rock Island arsenal on
Anril % to consider the question or
equipment and load of the infantry SOL
der. The board will consist of Colonel
Henry A. Greene, Tenth Infantry; Lieu
! tenant Colonel Frank +. Hobbs, ordnance
department.; Major George Bell, jr.. In
spector general; Captain James p. Harbe-
son, Twelfth infantry; Captain Merch B,
| stewart. Eighth infantry. and Captain
John L. De witt. Twentieth infantry.
Keen disappointment awaits the four
teen majors and ten captains of the army
retired list who were advanced one grace
by senatorial confirmation of their noml-
nations on April .. The nominations
were made as a result of an opinion OF
the attorney general of February % that
"officers retired for mystical disability
contracted in the line of duty, in accord
ance with the terms Of the act Of 1890,
are entitled. in the discretion of the presi-
Sent, by and with the consent OF the sem
ate, to the promotion permitted by the
act of 1904" 1t was expected that these
Officers would receive the pay of the adj
vanced grade from April %, 1904. which
was the date of the act authorizing the
Advancement of officers of civil war serv"
ice. Army officers who have been hith-
erto advanced grade from the date OF the
law. but in the case Of the twenty-four
officers recently advanced the increase OF
pay will date only from April . OF this
year. which deprives the officers of the
five years accumulation OF increased pay
which they had a right to expect, under
the revised opinion Of the attorney gem
eral.