The Washington herald., 1916-08-15
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington

Clifford Pinchot has further qualified
as a champion of preparedness by issu-
ing an open letter to Franklin K. Lane,
Secretary of the Interior. charging him
with abandoning the conservation
policies, shown, the letter contends.
by his action in connection with the
navy oil reserves in California, the So
called "oil grab in the Pheian bill, now
pending in Congress, apd his attitude
towards other conservation measures.
IF this legislation which Secretary
Lane has been trying to get passed is
enacted" Mr.. Pinchot says, the oil land
reserves set aside for the use of the
navy will be destroyed. The mere
threat OF Its passage has caused the
Navy Department to seriously consider
the advisabihty of abandoning the rclicy
of the construction OF oil-burni1g shifs
Only oil-burning ships can develop and
maintain the high speeds required In
modern war. Without them no navy can
be even second class.
| 1T is with great reluctance that I
have been forced to realize tnat the
property of the people oil the United
States is not being protected by Serre-
tary Lane. When he was appointed
Secretary of the Interior 1 welcomed his
appointment, and toll him so. At that
| time | held that he would stand and
! continue to stand for the rights CT the
people in all the natural resources Of
the country. His own actions have
shown, to my deep regret, that he cannot
be trusted to 90 So
The letter sets out in full the official
record Of Secretary Lanes acton with
respect to the pendins; oil legislation.
Efforts of the Judge Advocate General
of the Army to have the articles Of war
amended have been only partially sue
Cessful. Congress has enacted re-
vised form not in accordance with the
Recommended tions of the War Department
and Gen. Chowder. After a discussion
among members of the House military
committee the original draft was mater
lally altered. The War Department en-
deavored to extend the scope of the
amendment To include officers and en-
listed men Of the reserve corps. This
was objected to at the capitol. as the
amendments would have applied, it is
claimed. to persons really in civil life.
not in uniform nor drawing pay from
the government. 1t was this sentiment
that resulted. 1t is asserted, in limiting
the articles to officers and soldiers in
active military service. A provision max
ing the articles of war apply to those
admitted to army and navy hospitals.
which would have included Congressmen
|
advocate also was denied the right to
challenge member of the court
Important changes have been made in
conditions of contracts for public works
under the division of yards and docks
of the Navy Department. At all the
larger navy yard docks contractors will
be asked to state unit prices on mater
ials, instead of lump-sum prices Esti-
| ms tod ot,tit u-ilI no tla
bureaus. This arrangement makes it pos
sible to pay only for work actually done.
| In future bidders may name the time
Of completion instead Of having that
condition of the specifications.
1t is announced that as a result of ex-
aminations held last July. out Of the $50
candidates for midshipmen appointments
iat the Naval Academy. ninety-four
passed the mental examination. 1t is
pointed out that this is another illus
tration of the few who qualify result
| of the period for preparation being too
short. II is explained that this cOnd-
| ton was largely due this year TO the
considerable increase in the number Of
midshipmen at this session of Congress.
/
/ Relief legislation in behalf of needy
| families of National Guardsmtn has ben
| extended to enlisted men. 1t is thought
| In army circles that this will result in
! the retention in the service Of many
, needed men who otherwise would be
! obliged to ask for a discharge. In order
! 20 make relief applications easier and
! more systematic. the War Department;
! has prepared blanks to De filled out b.
applicants.
| The present law cOntemplates aid for
soldiers mother. his wife, all depend
ent children under sixteen years of age.
| and his mother-in-law. soldier who
| has been married since July Is, last. may
be beneficiary under this law. To
benefit under the Law. 1t must he shown
! that a soldiers family is entirely de
| pendent upon his pay The legislation
/ does not permit of accounting officers
! holding up rcmittanccs. and claimants
may not petition the courts for incrcas-
cd relief or appeal from decision of
! The department.
! The length of the stay of United States
troops in Mexico will be determined large
: ty. il Is believed in army circles. by
the work Of the joint commission, of
which Franklin X. Lane Secretary of
the Interior, and Associate Justice Louis
! d. Brandeis, of the Supreme Court, are
members, in connection with representa-
! lives of the de factO government of
Mexico. for the settlement of the Dor
/ Ger dispute. The commission will nnt
be able to decide. 1t is stated. lie cN-
tent of the patrol of the border uy
Guardsmen and regulars
| The war Department disclaims all
knowledge of the recent criticism of the
military authorities to the effect that mil