New-York tribune., 1911-02-17
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Protest Against Formation OF
Dentists Corps in Army.
iron, The Tribune Bureau


OENTrS'rS TOUCH ARMY NEkN ES.-
The thirty OF more dentists employed III
the army have touched the nerves OF the
commissioned personnel Of that branch OF
The military establishment, and hgh rank
ing officers from the Chief OF stan down
era giving abundant evidence OF the pain
fuIness Of the operations. For some une
these military dentists have been seeking
legislation to place them among the com
missioned personnel OF the army, with RANK
pay and allowances Of officers There mas
been no objection 10 this. provided the
scheme could be applied IN accordance Win
carefully developed arrangement which
should limit the rank Of the military den-
lists TO that Of first lieutenant giving them
the privilege OF quarters and retirement,
the same as other officers of the army
The dental surgeons however, have Sc
cured the support Of the national associa-
ton Of their profession. and. evidently
through the influence of that body. there
has been inserted in tie army appropriation
bill a clause which would have the effect
OF authorizing the employment OF ninety
dental surgeons. forming separate and
distinct corps, which would be, however,
under the surgeon general OF the army.
This legislation would ultimately provide
eleven or twelve officers Of the rank Of
major. about thirty with the rank of cap
tain and the remainder with the rank of
first lieutenant.
The spectacle Of forty dentists having
rank above that of first lieutenant is worse
than the prospect OF a toothache 10 army
officers. who now have visions of major
chiropodists. captain manicurists and even
IlrV,
uoent. in accordance with a Tecommenda-
ton made by the surgeon general of the
army. has already entered an emphatic re-
nonstrance While the work of dentists in
connection with the military personnel has
its Importance in promoting the comfort OF
officers and enlisted men, and while ii pre-
vents a certain kind Of disability, it is con-
tended that the dentists are not in any
sense a military necessity.
Their work would not be conducted in
time Of war or in the field unless military
automobile dental chair is 10 become a
part of the army field equipment. Soldiers
may have 10 submit TO the fire of the
dentists. but they are not likely 10 have
10 risk the FIRE OF the enemy. and there
fore rank, with regular promotion in ac-
cordance with service as is contemplated,
IS not considered advisable. There would.
Of course. be much expense added TO the
maintenance Of the army medical depart
ment If such a provision were enacted.
and the protest which has reached Con-
gress on the subject is likely to have its
influence.
The War Department knew nothing of
the provision inserted in rhe bill. and had
already gone on record IN favor OF modi-
fed arrangement. regarded as more in
keeping with the conditions attending the
work of the army dentists. 1t is realized
by the authorities that the service of
dentists In the army must be made attrac-
tive IN order 10 obtain qualified dentists
and induce them 10 remain IN the service.
But il Is held that this attraction would
be abundantly provided by giving them
the rank. pay and allowances of first
lieutenant with privilege Of retirement.
The proposition 70 blish a corps Of
dentists, with commissioned rank up 10
and including that of major, is heartily OPP
posed in the War Department
ORDERS ISSUED-The following orders
have been issued:
ARMY
Major WILLIAM NJ ROBERTS medical corps
from Fort Thomas 10 Fort Oglethorpe. for
Captain WILLIAM p wooDALI. medical
Captain FREDERICK ". ALsTAErTER. corps
Of engineers. 10 Walter Reed General Hos
pital. District Of Columbia
Captain CARROLL 2. ARMSIEAD. 2lst In,
fantry: to Preside Of san Francisco general
Captain PERRIN I, SMITH. recently promoted
from 10Th 10 18Th Infsntry' to San Fran
Captain JAMES Ss K. l1RRsoc5 PARRsoNs ooth Infantry.
ntVa~ ~farHS
SsT1 DepaTtmen, no M to a take eject Msrch T. Vice
captain HARRY j HIRsCH. quartermaster.
March sT : Captain Hirsch s vii f1'fsn remain a.
columbus Barracks until July J. and then
proceed TO Fort Douglas for outy pending
Captain Il JOHN -Vc' G M&RTiHUR, 2sth Infantry.
pepaftment Depart to take effect March t. vice
Captain MOOR y FALLS. quartermaster,
who is assigned TO 2sth Infantry, 10 take
First Lieutenant MORRIS NJ KECK. l2th In.
fantry. upon expiration Of present leave Of
absence. to Preside Of san Francisco for
duty pending arrival Of 18th infantry at
FIRST Lieutenant NORTON T. WOOD 9th Field
Artillery. 20 Fort Huachuca. report 70 Brig
adler General Walter s schuyler as aide
First Tieutensnt ARTHUR G.. pALCRoIX.
medical reserve corps. from Boise Barracks
Firs, Lieutenant WILLIS r. MILLS. path In
fantry assume charge of construction work
Madison Barracks. relieving Second Lieu
tenant FRANK o. MOoRMAN. oath In
fantry. -
virst lieutenant GEORGE E. PRICE. i4th Cav
airy. to Manila. for examination for retire
unent
NAVY.
Medical Director q. r. HIBEETT. detached tho
navy yard Norfolk. 20 command naval hos
pital Norfolk. vice Medical Director W. r.
DTT BOSE. 20 duty member naval eXaniin-
lng and medical examining boards. Wash
ington
rsv Director 8 u. HEAP. Naval Constructors
J. A. FURER, ". b. FOGARTY. S. NJ
HENRY and l.. Y. NJ BRIDE. commissioned
Psvnaster's Clerk I. r. CROSSMAN, appointed
duty navy yard. Washington.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.-The
following movements of vessels have been
reported to the Navy Department:
ARRIVED.
Feb l5--The Cyclops. At Hampton Roads, the
RrUtus. At Newport News; the AretEusa, at
Key West. and the Lebanon. al Guam
tanano.
SAILED
Feb l5-The Brutus from Hampton Roads for
Newport News; the Pauldng, the Drayton
and the Roe. from Tampa for Galveston;
the destroyer Reid. from Guantanamo Bay
% navy yard Norfolk. for repairs.
The Prairie. route TO Boston ordered
to proceed from Boston to New York and
thence 10 Hampton Roads transporting men
to Atlantic feet.
The destroyer Terry. now al Norfolk ordered
70 Key west 20 rejoin her division.
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