Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-23

districts as instructors. The second year
is spent in the engineering school at Wash
ington Barracks.
An order has been placed by the War
department for 800 Maxim rafle silencers,
and 1t is likely that orders will be placed
later for additional quantities. 1t is not
intended that the rifles Of all soldiers will
for the present be equipped with the
sllencers. The first issues will be made to
selected men of troops and companies,
probably to those whose rifles are equipped
with the telescope sight. The silencers to
be purchased are Of the improved form
developed by the inventor to meet objec-
lions raised by the commandant of the
school Of musketery after tests Of the first
form at that place. The report of the
school Of musketery was favorable to the
principle Of the silencer, but attention was
called to certain mechanical defects, such
as inability to fix the bayonet to rifles
equipped with the silencer. The defects
have been overcome in the later form Of
silencer, which practically becomes an in
tegral part of the rifle, although removable
when desired, and which does not interfere
with the use Of the bayonet. The new
form was successfully tested recently at
the Springfield (Mass) Armory.
Some Of the members Of the first class
at the military academy are destined to
have their graduation postponed this year.
The question came up in connection with
a cadet who would ordinarily be graduated
in June, but so much punishment duty
imposed remains unsatisfied that he will
have to be continued at the military
academy and graduated after the rest of
the class. 1t is held at the War depart-
ment that the date Of graduation is a mat
ter which is within the discretion of the
secretary of war to determine either as an
entire class or as to individual members.
As a condition precedent to such gradua-
tion the cadet is required to nave success
fully completed his course Of study and to
have fulfilled all disciplinary obligations
imposed in conformity to existing regula-
lions. 1t has happened in the past, when a
cadet has been found deficient in a particu-
lar study at his final examination, to per
init him to take another examination in that
study at a date fixed by, the academic
board, with the approval Of the secretary
Of war, when his graduation has been de-
ferred and made to depend upon passing
a successful examination. 1t is considered,
therefore, there is no objection to deferring
the graduation of a cadet who is wanting
in discipline, as is evidenced by punishment
imposed and remaining unsatisfied at the
date Of graduation Of the class.
1t is quite evident that elimination as 9
means of helping promotion in the army
has received a formidable setback anC
) probably much the same condition exists IN
reference to the same proposition in the
navy, General Bell, chief of staff in the
army was originally inclined to favor
elimination. He has since come to the op.
posite view, as has been set forth in the
hearings before the house and senate mill.
tary committees. The secretary Of war
too, has belief in the effacy Of elimination
which should retire army officers on q
graded scale of pay. The petitions which
have been circulated in various places
among army officers against congressional
adoption Of an elimination bill for the
military establishment nave had their in.
fluence at the capitol and there has beer
much communicated in other ways tC
representatives and senators, so that, II
the proposition emerged from the military
committees, it would meet with objection
and be defeated. More than that, the com
mittee sentiment Is opposed to elimination
as it is understood in those quarters. 81
that there is no occasion for the apprehen
sion which has existed among army Off
GERS of what they know to be disastrou.
G legislation which would prove in the enc
more harmful to efficiency in its demorall
cation Of the personnel than any gooC
: which can be imagined Of this process o
. radiance.
Much interest is taken in the action oil
, the part of the secretary Of war in tn,
case Of those army officers against whom
the auditor for the War department ha
filed charges for deduction of pay on &C
count of the decision, adverse to them, ii
the matter Of exercising higher ommand
AS is known to those who have been fol
lowing this subject, congress-, or at leas
the house, has refused to cancel by legis
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