Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-09
Army cossIr IN WASHINGTON.
Current Events Gleane from the
Army and Navy Reeister.

Army and Navy Register.
The army medical officers have COM
pleted the arrangements for ~anti-typhoid
vaccination in the military service, as has
been stated in these columns Instructions
have been sent to all posts, and volun-
teers to receive the vaccination will be
called for. starting, probably, with the
medical officers and members of the army
medical corps. The expectation is that
there will be no objection to receiving this
measure of protection, especially as the
vaccination does not operate as an incon-
venience for more than a few hours.
A slight change has been made in the
rules which govern the purchase OF dis
charge by enlisted men Of the army. The
effect of the order is that a soldier who
receives the three months bonus for re-
enlistment may not purchase his discharge
within one year thereafter. In other re-
spects, including the rates to be charged,
the regulations remain the same as those
incorporated in government order 4, War
department, 1906 Lately. the War Depart
ment has received many inquiries from
commanding officers on the part Of en-
listed men, as to whether soldiers may
purchase discharge and then r~e-enlist with
the idea of being considered as in the next
enlistment period. OF course, such an ar
rangement could not be permitted.
The army signal office is purchasing
twelve reel carts Of a new pattern. These
vehicles are intended for the laying OF field
wire drums, instead Of one wider drum
hitherto used. This will reduce the pull"
in laying the wire. The signal corps will
also purchase 500 miles OF field wire and
fifty miles of field artillery fire control
wire. A large quantity of fire control ma
terial is being made ready for shipment
from San Francisco to be used in the new
coast defenses of the Hawaiian islands
and the Philippines. A staff of electrical
engineers has been sent to Manila to SUI
perintend the installation of this material.
The field company of the signal corps. |
which has been on duty with the army of
Cuban pacification and which was one OF
the first military commands to be with
drawn from the islands, has arrived at |
Fort Sam Houston, Tex, and will be sta
toned at that place, where accommodate
tions exist and where there are facilities
for practical training with other branches
Of the mobile army. The quartermaster's
department. IN DulluluB DhTTdChS ana STABLES
at Fort d. A. Russell, Wyo,, for the signal
corps. and It is expected these buildings
will be ready for occupancy some time next
summer. 1t has not yet been decided what
signal corps troops viii be sent to the
Wyoming garrison.
The army board, detailed some months
ago to make recommendation concerning
fba ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~ Sha xoaANoal la,orA
ment transportation. has this week been
giving it's attention to an English system !
and equipment. which makes it possible to
convert freight or baggage railway cars
into hospital cars for the transportation Of
the sick and injured in time of war. The
appliances consist of iron piping, with other
paraphernalia. furnishing. when set in
place, two tiers Of filters, and affordins
accommodation for sixteen patients on q
freight car and twenty-four patients in a
baggage car. The apparatus may be taken
apart for convenient storage or handling
This material In the European armies is
held as a part OF the reserve stock in an
ticipation OF war, and there Is a chance
that the army board will recommend a
similar precautionary measure in order to
have everything in readiness for use on the
freight and baggage cars in time of
emergency. Hitherto. Il has been con.
sIdered that the tourist sleeping car would
be utilized for this purpose. but it has
lately been recognised by the experts that
these cars. while affording the bunk ca
pacity. are not otherwise adapted fer the
purpose.
The surgeon general of the army has
not been advised concerning the results OF
the marking of the papers in the
ton OF the candidates who recently APP
peared before special boards to determine
their fitness for appointment TO the regu
lar medical corps. Those candidates who
are found qualified will be commissioned
first in the medical reserve corps and con-
tinue in that capacity to the end OF the
period OF instruction at the army medical
school If any Of them are needed In SER