Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-31
ARMY AND NAVY

Josephus Daniels, Secretary Of the
Navy. has announced that he viii pro-
note enlisted men in the navy to ten
vacancies now existing in the pay
corps of the department. Secretary
Daniels believes that one of the
greatest incentives for improvement
is the hope and opportunity of adj
vancement. He wants the enlisted
men of the navy to feel assured that
they viii not lack such opportunities
SO fas as it is within his power to
grant them.
The naval bill approved by con-
gress last year provides that ten APP
pointments of assistant paymasters
should be made July /, 1913, and
Secretary Daniels has decided that
this provision shall be turned to the
advantage Of the enlisted men. In
filling the vacancies, Secretary Dan
iels intends to give preference to en-
listed men who are able by examina-
ton to demonstrate their fitness for
commissions in the pay corps and he
announces the tests shall be. Of such
a nature only as to determine the fit
ness Of the candidates to perform the
duties of assistant paymasters in the
navy and not for some other po-
sition.
In other words, capable men are
not to be excused because they do
not possess qualifications which have
no connection with the duties Of the
position for which they are being ex-
anlined. The secretary feels that in
adopting this policy he is not only
assisting ambitious enlisted men but
improving the efficiency of the navy.
Candidates must be between the
ages of twenty-one and twenty-six
years. The physical and mental ex-
aminations viii be held at all stations
abroad as well as home soon after
July next and the ten men stand
ing highest will receive the appoint
ment.
Following out urgent pleas of the
signal corps for greater army aero
plane service, Congressman James
Hay of Virginia has introduced in
congress a bill providing a distinct
aviation corps. He would divorce the
aeroplane service entirely from the
signal corps in which it is now in
corporated.
He also asks that the United States
have thirty-one aviators. While this
number is not as great as General
Scriven and Major Russell, of the sig
nal corps, would like to have pro-
vIded, they feel nevertheless that the
Hay bill is move in the direction of
a larger and more efficient air
service than the United States now
has.
They have pointed out to the chief
of staff that this country has fallen
below the average of smaller nations
in respect of numbers of both ma
chimes and aviators.
- -
For conducting experiments in tow
ing submarines and to obtain expert
ence with engines and other material
under cruising conditions. the Navy
Department has ordered five submar-
ines now at Norfolk to leave for Gu
antanamo, Cuba, where during the
winter another group of submarines
was sent for similar tests
The vessels will stop at some coast
port, probably Charleston, S. G.. They
left Narragansett bay recently for re-
pairs, which are about completed.
The collier Mars and the tender Cas-
tine will accompany them
1t is desired also, it was said. to
accustom the men to long coastwise
trips.
President Wilson has approved the
request of Col Frank Lee Denny.
chief guartermaster of the United
States Marine Corps, for retirement