The Washington herald., 1915-12-28
ny 4. b, JOHNS.

NJ - Ds SVnNSs
An amendment to the Militia Pay
Bill. which would federalise the
National Guard and overcome the con-
stitutional objections. has been pro-
posed In the General Staff. By this
amendment. the National Guard would
be organised and paid under the Hay
Volunteer Army act. with the excep-
tion that the militia would enter the
Federal service in times of peace, in
stead Of waiting the declaration of
war. 80.
The National Guard. by this amend
ment. would be permitted to volun-
teer as organizations. Once they were
in the service of the Federal govern
ment. they would be entitled to pay
as fixed by the bills that have been
introduced by Chairman Chamberlain
and Chairman Hay. The amendment
10 short one but It entirely changes
from State and Federal troops.
According to the provision of the
Volunteer Army act. the President, up
on recommendation of the governors of
the different States, would be authoriz-
ed to appoint the company officers Of
the National Guard. In the higher
grades, the President would appoint
officers to the Guard upon the advice
and consent Of the Senate. This would
fix the standards Of examinations and
methods of training those officers and
men.
1t would effectually federalize the
National Guard and place it under the
Jurisdiction of the President in Con-
gress just as much as the Regular
Army The only difference will be that
the National Guard would take its
training at its present stations and
h1Vf
except in the event Of war.
1t is Understood that the Secretary of
the Navy Is urging the Fiske board to
give the Isham explosive shell its final
test. At least, the Secretary wants
definite report upon the merits of the
| shell to submit to Congress. The test.
1t is stated. will take place shortly at
Indian Head.
For over ten years the merits of the
Isham shell has been the subject of
bitter controversy in Congress. Former
Representative Hobson became very
much interested In the Isham scheme for
explosive shells, and through his efforts
number Of appropriations were made
to pay the expenses OF tests. 1t Is esti-
mated that the government. in one way
or another. has spent about 10000 in
testing the Isham and other explosive
shells. Several experiments have been
made before Congressional committees.
and army as well as navy boards have
Investigated the subjects.
Secretary Daniels. 1t is stated, thinks
that the time has arrived when some
definite recommendations could be sub
mitted to Congress.
Secretary Daniels yesterday announced
10 RR Ia 0f fDr all Of tk,A
yards and stations for the calendar year
| OF 1916 with the exception of Washing
| ton. Two or three weeks ago the sched-
ule for the Washington yard was an
nounced
In accordance with the recommended
tions Of all of the wage boards, the pay
| of the supervisory force !. e., quartermen
and leadingmen. which has heretofore
been fixed at Is per cent and 10 per cent
respectively, above the maximum pay of
the trade, will be increased to 30 per
cent and 15 per cent. respectively.
1T Is impossible to determine with ex-
actness the average amounts of the in
creases." said Secretary Daniels. 1T
may be stated. however. that these in
creases will affect a great majority of
| the employees at navy yards and stations
There are about 5000 men employed in
| navy yards and naval stations. and the
|
|! creased. beginning the first of January.
Those that receive the great increase this
year did not receive any increase last
year.
The Naval Academy increases were
| made in the following trades: Brick ma
| sons. $3.50 to ASs: pipefitters. s352 to
| $3.50: masters-at-arms. s. to s215; all
| around machinists. S3.4 to $3.50; chief
master-at-arms. S3.5e to 1916.
Experiment station-Electrical mechan-
les Especially skilled. 81 to A2i; machin-
| lists Especially skilled. 81 to si2i
| Increases were made in the following
trades at the Naval Proving Ground. In
dian Head. Md-All-around machinists.
81 to Ae4: electrical machinists. 81 to
A.e4: timers, sS.A to 1872: wiremen, s. O.
to sIUe.
Navy Vary, Norfolk. Va.-Chippers and
calkers. iron. sS.o4 to Is: drillers. So to