Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-25

the result of much study and research and
collaboration on the part of the various
officers who are concerned in the exam
ination OF the acceptance OF the recruits
and represent the fruits of experience.
The new regulations will furnish the most
soldierly appearing body in the world and
establish uniformity in the examination
of recruits.
The secretary Of war has considered the
question of holding a competitive examna-
ton Of civilian candidates from at large for
appointment as second leutenants In the
cavalry, field artillery, or infantry, and
has decided not to order such an examina-
, ton at present, If at ali during the cur
rent year, on account Of the prospect that
but few IL any, of the vacancies that may
exist on July /, 1910, will remain available
to be filled by appointment after the mem
bers OF this years class of graduates OF
the military academy the qualified en-
listed men of the army and the honor grad
yates of colleges at which officers of the
army are serving as professors of mill
tary science and tactics shall have been
appointed. Under the laws and regulations
now in force persons of the classes speci-
fled are entitled to appointment in ad-
vance of any candidates from at large from
1
civil life.
The comptroller has rendered a decision
in the matter Of the army officers who
were advanced one grade on account of
civil war service and who have been or
who are on active duty These officers were
| advanced by the act of April q, 1904, and
the question raised by the auditor was
whether they should receive, when on ac-
| tive duty, the pay of the grade from which
advanced or that of the higher grade. The
case in point was that of Major Edward
1. Grumley, who held only the office of
captain Of infantry, while he had the rank
and pay grade of major from April %, 1904
The pay of a captain of infantry OF his
length of service is S2iO per month. while
the retired pay OF a major of the same
length Of service is $21S75, so that IL Major
Grumley while on active duty was only
entitled to the active duty pay OF cap
tain, his pay while on active service would
be $S75 a month less than IL would have
been on active duty. 1t is held by the
comptroller that the pay grade established
in the act as the basis of fixing retired pay
must be the same pay grade as used in
the same act for fixing the full pay when
assigned to active service as provided in
the act The officers of this class, there
for, when on active duty will receive the
pay Of the advanced grade.
1t requires all the resistance possible on
the part of the army medical officers to
resist the demands which are constantly
being made for the adoption OF various
devices and cure-alls for the army and
for issue to pensioners. Recently the war
department ordered the investigation of a
nostrum which was urged for adoption
by influential politicians, whose interest
had been aroused by the prominent man.
ufacturers 1t was found that this was
the same article which had been offered
for sale as long ago as 1882. when II
appeared as a cure for cholera 1t is now
put forth as a remedy for all sorts OF
fevers. A device which has been recently
under consideration has been an electrical
continuance for deaf people. 1t being de-
sired by the manufacturers to have q
quantity purchased for periodical issues to
pensioners, after the manner of the issue
of artificial limbs. The war department re.
fused to purchase the device, largely or
account of it's cost. which was $50; where.
upon those who are interested in the trans.
action induced Representative Sher-
wood OF New York, to present bill, the
text of which has been published in ouI
} congressional report, authorizing the sur.
, geon general of the army to contract with
: the manufacturers of this article and fur.
Their providing an appropriation of 5000 tc
; acquire the device. 1t is estimated that II
, congress gave any such authority, II
would require fully 100000 to supply the
demand. At present the surgeon generals
office supplies deaf. pensioners with less
expensive aids to hearing. such as the
, familiar born. and it Is not considered
judioious to go to any greater expense in
the matter.
The War department has had under con-
sideration for some weeks the case of Col
onel George F. Cooke, U. 8. A, who was
recently retired with the rank OF colonel
from the grade of lieutenant colonel of the
Twenty-second infantry. 1t has been deter.
mined to bring that officer before q mill.