The Washington herald., 1916-02-04
BY f. II. JOHNS.

The aDpOintmeRt of postmasters as re-
cruiting agents for the regular army,
recommended by Brig. Gen. Clarence X
Edwards to the Senate Committee OH
/ Military Affairs yesterday afternoon was
a startling proposition coming from a
military authority. Gen. Edwards says
thew are especially qualified to serve in
this capacity. and that all other gov
ernments employ either postmasters or
other civilian officials in securing recruits
for their armies and navies.
II am told" said Gen. Edwards, that
one of the principal reasons that has
guided the War Department in asking
only for the small increase that they
have is the claim that it will be impos-
sihle to recruit even the small regular
army contemplated in the Chamberlain
bill of 2lO0o0 men. l do not share this
belief
Il venture to suggest that the existing
Federal machinery be invoked, and that
every postmaster in the country be made
a recruiting agent for the army and navy.
In other countries civilian officials act
in this capacity, and l am sure that the
postmast are especially equipped for
such work. as representative citizens OF
the community. Through them We can
secure the best class of recruits for the
regular army or any other force of fed
eral troops. Under such a system II a
man wished to enlist. it would be only
necessary for him to apply to the post
master. Should the postmaster approve
such an applicant as worthy to become
a member of the army or navy. he would
turn over the applicant for a physical
examination by a reputable physician OF
TIE locality. selected by himself. with the
approval of the medical department of
the United States Army. For this pa
triotiC work in addition to his routine
duties. he could be given small Zee. not
less than 81. and the medical officer
a fee to be determined by the Secretary
lof War, not less than two dollars. for
every accepted applicant both fees to be
contingent upon the gaining of the man.
The postmaster would then be authorized
by the ordinary uuartermaster's request
to send that man to the nearest army
officer on recruiting duty.
The Secretary of the Navy has decided
to readyertise for bids for the collier
Justine. The highest regular bidder at
the last opening was Grace and Company,
but John Rothschild wired a higher bid
from Washington to San Francisco where
the opening occurred. The Board threw
out the Rothschild bid because the
proper bond was not filed for the second
bid of that concern. The first Roths-
child bid was lower than the one sub
mitted by Grace & Company.
1t is underst that the bids are re-
advertised with the assurance from the
Rothschild concern that the government
will have an offer which will be at
least $4,000 more than the original cost
Of the collier when it was purcha sed from
an English concern during the Spanish
American war.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Frank
lin B. Roosevelt. who has been confined
to his apartment for four or FIVE days,
yesterday was compelled to cancel his
engagements for a number of speeches
in the South. His condition is not seri-
Gus but his physicians have advised him
| to keep indoors until he has entirely re-
covered from his cold
Army officers who reported at the War
Department yesterday were Lieut. Col
&C. II. McKinistry, Corps Engrs. Capt
Stuart Hientzelman. Sixth cavalry; and
Second Lieut. Frank McCabe, Phil
Scouts; Capt. J. A. Marmon, Third In
fantry