The Washington herald., 1916-08-16

In naval and marine corps circles the
recent legislation affecting the commits
! stoned personnel seems to be fairly well
received. The most important provision
relating to the Marine Corps personnel
is that for the rank OF brigadier general
for senior officers OF the three staff de-
partments
In the naval personnel clause provision
is made for the extension of selection Of
officers that have been promoted from
the grades Of captain, commander and
! lieutenant commander, and the retiring
age has been extended to "a years for
rear admirals, 81 years for captains, 80
years for commanders, and 10 years for
lieutenant commanders.
The legislation will not become effective
until 1920. the delay being due. it is ex-
planned, TO the plan to prevent prems
ture retirements at a time when naval
officers are needed. In this connection
conditions have been safeguarded against
possible injustice to individuals, and the
President is empowered to reject any
recommendation of the board OF selec-
ton
The general opinion is it Is stated. that
the naval staff departments have received
a square deal in the matter of increases.
One clause in the naval appropriation
| bill that does not meet with approval,
however. is that abolishing corps OF pro-
fessors of mathematics. which has al
ways done service of marked distinc-
ton.
Preparations for the care of sick and
injured soldiers on duty on the Mexican
border have been made by the surgeon
general of the army. The hospital faCili-
ties are regarded as exceptional and il
is thought that the percentage of sick
will be low. Base hospitals equipped with
beds ranging in number from 200 to so
are located at Eagle Pass Brownsville,
Laredo and Nogales. The base hospitals
at Fort Sam Houston and FL Paso have
from 7CO to 100 beds, and camp hospitals
at Douglas. Dering. Maria, Del Rio.
McAllen and Mercedes have an average
quota OF more than $50 beds.
The base hospital at Columbus y. Mex,
has 100 beds. The hospitals are equipped
with modern N-ray apparatus and steri-
liZers, surgical instruments, dressings and
utensils All water is sterilized and at
five bases portable steam disinfectors
have been provided for the sterilization
of mattresses and cloth Hospital equip
ments also include white enamel iron
hunks and felt mattresses
In addition to the base and camp hos
pitfalls there are many field hospitals and
not few regimental hospitals. The health
of the troops now at the border is re-
ported to be satisfactory.
There is genenl disappointment in
army circles because of the failure of
Congress in this session to vote an ap-
propria ton for the enlargement OF
buildings at West Point Military
Academy.
The increase in the number of cadets
| to 100, authorized by legislation, makes
the present building room inadequate.
In lieu of the immediate appropriat ton
of S,0oo.O0O. as originally contemplated,
the Secretary of War has named three
army officers to make an investigation
as to the necessary building extensions
at the academy, and report to Congress
this coming December as to the probable
cost of the work.
Preliminary estimates have placed the
cost of the contemplated Improvements
at about s55OO,OO0. 1t is expected that
about 100000 will have to be paid for
the services of architects and consulting
engineers.
! The order dividing the southern de-
partment into three separate commands