The Washington herald., 1916-10-10
ARM AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column in city.

Secretary OF the Navy Daniels soon will
give consideration to- the project Of fur
ther increasing the number Of midshipmen
at the Naval Academy. There are l,269
students under instruction at the institu-
ton, and II all vacancies were filled
there would be 1,762 including the recently
authorized increase of $50.
1t is proposed that each Senator and
Representative be permitted to appoint an
additional midshipman, making four to the
credit Of each. This would bring the
number Of midshipmen up to approx
mately $500 This is a strength which is
regarded by naval authorities as justifi-
able in view Of the new construction that
10 contemplated.
1t will be necessary to increase the out
put Of graduates in anticipation Of the
demand for commissioned officers and II
Is believed that Secretary Daniels will
represent to Congress at the beginning Of
the next session the advantage Of taking
action in this particular with the least
possible delay.
1t probably will be necessary TO include
In the estimates for the consideration #
Congress an item for quarters, which
may have to be Of temporary type, in
order to provide at once adequate shelter
for those now at the academy and for
the further increase in the personnel.
Uncertainty characterizes the plans for
the winter course at the Army War Col
lege, where work is scheduled to start
October Is. The present prospect is that
only half OF the officers originally des-
tgnated to form the class will be able to
attend. The remainder of the officers
are destined to be detained on duty on
the Mexican border, from which station
there is no present likelihood Of their
withdrawal.
Many of the officers who had antici-
pated entering the class and who now
are detailed on the border, had made ar
rangements to establish quarters in the
city and members Of their families were
sent here in expectation OF the tour OF
duty in the Capital. War Department
officials explain that this confusion is
regrettable, but unanticIpated and una
voidable.
In connection with the development Of
free and captive balloon eGbIiPment and
personnel for the army. Capt Charles
de F.. Chandler, OF the Signal Corps has
been ordered to temporary duty in Wash
Ington In the Office Of the chief signal
officer Of the army.
Capt. Chandler was in command Of the
first army aviation school. which was
established at College Park, Nd, and
conducted winter sessions on a field near
Augusta. Ga. Prior TO that time he be-
came distinguished in balloon work. hsv-
ing won with Lieut.. Frank P. Lahn, Of
the cavalry. now captain and aviation
officer in the Signal Corps. one OF the
free balloon competitions held several
years ago in France
While on his new duty Capt. Chandler
will spend considerable time at Akron.
Ohio. where balloons for the army will
be manufactured. The personnel Of the
balloon units probably will be obtained
from the aviation reserve corps.
The determination Of the Secretary OF
War 10 acquire, by searching and impair
tial investigation. accurate and complete
information as to the machine rife situa-
ton comes none too soon in the con-
troversy that has assumed formidable
dimensons acute phases. and complicated
characteristics, -" says the Army and Navy
Register editorially.
1T is quite evident that the War De-
partment must forCfy itself with some
Thing more than II possesses now In or
der TO eXpend judiciously the available
appropriation Of Sl2,On0.o no upon one type
OF machine rife. 1t cannot afford to ap-
pear before Congress at the next ses-
sion with a report Of action that is open
to attack in committee or on the floor. e."