New-York tribune., 1909-05-07
ARMY md N4FY NOTES
President TAFT Nag Modfy Physi-
cal Tests.
From The Tribune Rureau.l


REQUIREMENT CALLED EXCEsSIVE.-There
is much interest in the prospect that the President
may modify the requirement Of the annual physical
test prescribed by President Roosevelt. This con-
sists Of ninety mile horseback ride fifty
mile walk. with. in the case of the officers of the
marine corps, a certain distance covered by sprint
ing. There have been many retirements in the
three services because of the inability officers
up the standard established for professional
fitness. and in some instances the officers retired
are described being useful for any sort of duty.
Some advantage has been gained through retire
ment OF senior officers and the promotion of their
juniors, but this in has resulted in stagnation
with the prospect of even more serious situa-
ton IN the army where the lieutenant colOnels and
majors are younger than they have ever been. 1t
will be represented TO President Taft that the re-
qurement is excessive. and that does not as was
intended induce regular physical exercise Regular
physical exercise is recognized of decided benefit
10 the personnel. and the orders issued by Mr.
Roosevelt Will undoubtedly result in the adoptfon
OF compulsory system of physical training for the
commissioned personnel and enlisted forces of +ba
army, navy and marine corps As the situation i
nov" olcerS go INTO preparation for the yearly wall,
o' rae and then lapse into inactivity until the ap-
Proach OF the lest. Another ,Iefec, is e., tl.
aiuIe 10 make distinctions for officers of different
ages The same requirement applies to the officer
OF twenty-five and the officer Of ffty-dvo Years
Inc sentiment in the service is decidedly i'm f,,.~
. d c"@'se' 50 as TO avoid retirement Of officers
NJ i'eiiS sun IN 1helr prime alflalgE
-iE net be able 10 come up TO the severe require
/. Hleh's OF horseback riding ard pedestrianism
ORDERS ISsUED.-The following orders have
been issued: "
ARMY
Is-T - AM = Stone coast artillery home pre-
S@T{a.n oLIN Eft ii DOcKERY. Jr BOT, Infantry from
- department of the Colorado 10 Fort syItnp '
Tnfari+ tilt HhFos II COOKE Gth to 2ath
Captain NATTER - BROWN from 25,h To eta In
cap{ain 5a oI A52 ARtss FRoHwITrER coast artillery
Captain GEORGE HoIDEN upon reiitf g I,
First Lieutenant john RANDGLPH 35,h Infantry. to
First Ii Lieutenant lOJIs BI%T@N jr rom s2d to
Second Ite3teRany S1T SH4Si gfte?I u f? from
1,l 3glh GomEany. coast artillery
gSs 8:a;H @l~1E2 + &GM 2f2TS 'i 2
Ensign a5s b IS,I n GREEN detached the Tacoma leave
DayE yard Charleston. desisna,ed: A. "
Ma5donqueh: g 9 LOGAN 70 iSe u iikes + r We We
Ensign ai Z L / WALkER, detached Thornton to com,
Ensign G. ~ wRisHT detached the Maoaanoush to
Ensign = Y. WOODWARD. detached the Wilkes. to
Following niashipsnen detached reserve torpedo aata
E0YNTeS eaaTss'en ma les 10 yesssis desgaa5ed; II v.
Porter. a. N r. ALIEN 70 tie ba1oni :, "a II
he W64ea 'S tie g 5s E6ss u u The Il NhE5AXD haEtI y r
The aiacd5aSuga: R R STEw4RT to he - Tiageg.
and J. BAER 10 the Thornton.
MARINE CORPS
Captain u 2 WILLS detached headquarters c17--e
office q assistant paymaste.. New York
captain WILLIAM BRAtkEIT detached
Washington: duty. chicago First
Lieutenant Z b. MILLER, TO marine barracks. navy
yard, Washington
Preparatory orders in heated have been issued
following captains: r. y. RHEA. the Vermont.
7. Z BACKsTROM, the New Hampshire, F. II
DELANO the Idaho WRIT MCREARY. the Ms
sisspp J. T BOoTEs. the Michigan
Preparatory indicated
w. SMALL.
Mississippi. & 5. OWEN, Connecticut; "
y HILL. he Vermont . ne Idaho.
W = PARKER Now Hampshire
Lieutenant ?. +. GARRETT. detached yard