New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-28
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Senator Johnston Has a Griev.
anCe Against Navy Officers.
Iron The Tribune Bureau. ]
Wa chinptop Ma,


JOHNSTON THINKS CAP FITS.-Sen-
ator Johnston. of Alabama, who is to be
chairman OF the Senate Military Commit
tee. succeeding Senator Du Point has com
municated TO the Navy Department a
grievance. He reports that retired
naval officer Of prominence. who makes
speciality of public speaking. has been
! travelling through Alabama making adj
! dresses In favor of big navy. II has
been supposed this officer was one OF
those whose services were enlisted by an
organization to promote sentiment in
favor OF increased approprta tions for the
navy. Mr.. Johnston, however, is in
J clned 10 believe the officer Is conducting
political campaign against the Senator,
and in favor OF Representative r. u.
| HCbson, who is understood to be a candi-
date for Mr. Johnston's seat, on the ex-
piration of the latters term I'm March,
1915
Senator Johnston has been Informed
that a similar agitation, ostensibly for
big navy. has been conducted In the
Texas district OF Representative Gregg.
member of the House Naval Committee.
Mr. Gregg does not believe in large APP
preparations for the navy. and II is init
mated there is conspiracy 10 defeat in
! the next Congressional election those
members who are opposed TO an adequate
navy.
Naval authorities know nothing of the
employment Of retired naval officers for
political purposes. Several officers have
been authorized TO make addresses which
are generally understood to be on the
invitation of local commercial bodies
The remarks, go far as the Navy Depart
ment has been able 10 learn, have been
discreet and for the purpose OF bringing
| the navy into closer touch with the peo-
pie OF course. no naval officer. either on
the active or retired list, will be per-
mitted to engage I'm q campaign conducted
against any Senator or Representative.
NEW DEVICES TO BE ADDED AT
! ONCE.-The Secretary of War has had
under consideration recommendations
made by army boards convened at San
Francisco and Newport News concerning
new equipments for army transports.
Congress last year appropriated $500 600
! l'I llllplOHlHS the lllfSdNllS vi
board these vessels, which, 1t was discov
cred after the Titanic disaster were not
adequate
The boards went into the subject thor
! oughly and various devices We're tested
at sea under the stress Of rough weather,
the inventors and promoters being re-
quired 10 manage their own appliances
and demonstrate the efficiency of their
methods. The consideration OF the sub
ject has not been completed. but General
J. y. Aleshire. chief of the quartermas-
ter corps, who has 70 do with the acquisi-
ton of this material. has acted on a part
of the conclusions OF the board. and Sec
rotary Garrison has approved the action.
Among the devices selected is a deck
lfeboat fitted with air compartments; a
STANDARD" lifeboat of special. design. a
type of raft which is TO be used when the
lifeboats are insufficient. and a metal
launch, with air compartments. of a self
Fighting and self-baiing variety. II is
intended TO purchase the adopted devices
as soon as possible, and II is estimated
that It will require the 10000 TO 1T out
all transports.
With these new devices the army trans
ports will be the best equipped OF any pas
senger carrying vessels in the world for
/ the preservation Of life in time OF disaster
OF sea.