The Washington herald., 1916-08-12
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington
in Washington.

1t has been decided by the War De
partment that the inspectors of small
arms practice Of National Guard organ
lZations are not in the service OF the
United States under the present call.
The qualification OF the natiOnal-defense
act OF June 3 was. in effect to eliminate
from the respective organizations OF the
National Guard the inspectors OF small
arms practice authorized under the So
called Dick law
Where organizations are serving under
The call as organized militia, but have
not qualified, inspectors OF small-arms
practice to which such organizations
were entitled a. organized militia. would
be in the service along with other off,
Gers authorized for such organized militia.
Tn" presence OF any part Of the or
ganization or organizations, which part
has qualified under the national-defense
act It is held, however, could not be in
cluded for the purpose OF giving the or
ganized militia such officers. The inspec-
tor Of smaIl-arms practice. IN other
words Is only authorized for .l.. organ
izatiCns Of the National Guard which
ha,e not qualified under the national
def use ac,. and the Office must termin-
ate with the qualification of such organ
izatIuns.
It holds therefore, that where such in
spectors Of small-arms practice have
been mustered in for organizations which
have qualified under the national-defense
act. such muster in is a nullity and Gre
ates no legal status for the officer.
The House conferees made it evident
that they were not entirely in accord
with the Senate provisions for the naval
flying corps, particularly in the matter
OF rank for those officers-whether from
the Navy Marine Corps. or civil life
who, having served the required period
as Ayers. become eligible to enter or
return to the line OF the Navy. or Ma
rine Corps lieutenant, or captain, re-
spectVcly.
This provision was regarded as eX-
traordinary and as likely to result in eX-
cessive advancement of naval and marine
officers over those who entered the SER
vice at the same time. amounting in
some instances TO an advantage OF two
grades. The provision. 1t was explained
was made in order that flyers. who had
become inca pa citated for fight, but who
might be regarded as fit for other du-
ties. would not have to be retired and
their services. useful in other directions
than in the flying corps, be entirely lost
The House conferees felt, however. that
some change should be made, and in
view Of the fact that the flyers will
have extra pay during their connection
with the corps. it was fair 10 provide
for the transfer or return to the line OF
he Navy or Marine Corps in the Grade
and position they would have held If
they had been of those branches from
the first and had never been in the avi-
alton section
The Navy Department has been much
relieved has also Marine Corps head
quarters to learn of the complete control
of the situation in Santo Domingo by
Col. Joseph H. Pendleton. in command
of the Fourth Regiment OF Marines, con-
slsting of but 500 men.
The situation was regarded as one Of
exceeding peril until 1t was reported by
that officer that he had reached Santo
Domingo City and had maintained his
line of communication.
Nothing of the state Of mind Of the
Washington authorities was dvulged
however
Col. Pendleton and his marines were on
the Pacific Coast at the time 1t was de-
terniDsd to send the marines to Santo
Domingo. expecting to proceed TO Mexi-
co in connection with operations of the
Pacific Fleet. He was informed. how
ever. to prepare himself TO cross the
continent and become a factor in the