Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-21
ARMY and navy

n1HUl IASD lyUy
Senators and representatives are
showing a disposition to resent Secre-
tary Garrison's enforcement OF the or
der prohibiting their intercession In
favor OF promotion Of army officers.
The secretary adopted the policy OF
writing each congressional advocate
of promotions, saying the communica-
ton was not received with approval
and made II necessary to ask the off,
Ger concerned II he was In any way
responsible for the intercession in his
behalf.
/ The letters are said to have con-
tinued In identical phraseology, over
the signature OF the acting secretary
of war, since Mr. Garrison's departure
on his inspection tour Of army posts.
The latest remonstrant is Senator
John Sharp Williams of Mississippi,
who. replying to the acting secretary.
said:
"Your letter with the inclosed cir
cular, which you send me, is at hand.
Where officers are confirmed by the
senate 1t Is made part Of the con-
stitutional duty of senator, by q pro-
vision of the constitution, to advise
as well as consent These officers are
but advice of the senate Therefore,
the right of senator to advise the
department concerning any executive,
military or naval officer whose APP
pointment depends upon confirmation
by the senate, is constitutional and
cannot be thrust aside by an execu-
tive order"
The present mode of rife used by
the United States army should have
a life Of at least ten years. in the
opinion OF the ordnance officers. A
determined effort is being made to
Iprevent the condemnation of thous-
lands Of rifles that are turned in as
worn out when they are really SER
viceabie. A circular Just issued de-
clares that one Of these rifles should
be capable of firing 1000 to $4,000
rounds before becoming so worn as
to be inaccurate.
4 As matter of fact, many of the
rifles turned in as unserviceable are
found to have become SO more
Through want Of careful cleaning and
the use of abrasiyes than by reason
of the actual number of rounds fired.
Therefore, II Is ordered that such
guns as are worn at the muzzle with
barrels rusted or pitted-a sign that
they have not been properly treated
shall be tried out by expert rifiemen,
and not condemned unless they show
marked inaccuracy at the targets.
| - -
The old frigate Constellation, built
In Baltimore In 1897, when President
Washington laid the foundations of
the American navy, and heroine of
decisive fights with the French Insur-
genie and Vengeance, which estab-
lished the United States as a mari.
time power. has come into the records
of congress again as living part of
the nations naval establishment.
AN appropriation of $4,000 was
asked for by Representative Linthi-
cum Of Maryland for the repair and
/ fitting out" Of the historic old ship,
the oldest In the navy. The Constel-
lation is now at Newport The reso-
luton provides for her transfer to
Baltimore and adds:
'The public exhibition of this his
Itoric frigate would arouse the patriot.
ic interest of all citizens of the
United States"
In order to stimulate interest In the
navy in the practice of swimming Act
ing Secretary Roosevelt has offered q
tRr nhxr - he a. e.
annually by the personnel of the bat
ltieships of the Atlantic fleet The cup
viii be held for one year by the battle
ship Of the fleet which during the
year has qualified the largest percant-
age Of its entire personnel as swim
liners.
The competition will apply to every
lperson on board from the commanding
lofficer to the newest enlisted man,
land the marking will be done on the
Isimple percentage basis. Secretary
Roosevelt's idea in presenting this cup
il to increase the percentage of men
who can pass a simple test in staying
afloat reasonable length of time. He
believes that every man on board ship
i should know how to swim.
! Secretary Daniels returned from a
three-week trip, during which he Wis
lited the Pacific coast navy yards and
stations and fulfilled number oil
speaking engagements. He was ac-
companied by Mrs. Daniels and his ma
wal aid, Lieut. Comdr. l.. C.. Palmer
with this trip ended" said Secre-
! tary Daniels, l"I have visited every ma.
Ivy yard, Station and training school In
continental United States. / shall now
. set about preparing my recommends.
tons to congress based upon my OBJ
lservations on both the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts"
Mr.. Daniels said he has not yet de-
cided at what Pacific ports he will
! recommend the construction of the
new works, such as great dry dock
lcoaling stations and other equipment
which the opening of the Panama ca.
nal will require to be constructed or
the Pacific coast in order to take care
of the battleships when they are or
that side of the country. He denied
l&hof ha ho1 coid ho Atlantic fIooi