The Washington herald., 1916-11-08
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column IN city.

Maj. BENJAMIN d. Foulois, OF the Avia-
ton Section OF the Signal Corps, has en-
tered upon his duties as aviation offlcer
OF the Southern Department, according
to advices received at the War Depart
ment from San Antonio. Tex.
Among the first work that he will un-
dertake will be the organization Of the
third and fourth aero squadrons. Selec-
tons OF officers for service with these
squadrons now Is under consideration II
has not been decided what type Of aero
planes will be issued to the squadrons,
other than that they viii be of the land
type.
Several hundred machines are included
In outstanding contracts. and about the
first Of them that are ready for delivery.
except those for instruction purposes at
the aviation schools. will be issued to the
new organizations, no matter what make
they may be.
Col w. l. Kenly and Lieut. Col Brooke
Payne. Of the Field Artillery, are the only
officers so far detailed to take the field
officers course at the Signal Corps avi-
alton school at San Diego, Cal, but II
Is expected that from four to six other
Officers will be assigned to this duty for
the nrst term. The course will cover a
period OF about six weeks, and Il Is de-
signed to prepare officers for administra-
tive and executive duties as department
aviation officers and in command Of avi-
alton organizations.
Competitive tests Of the various types
OF machine rifles are being arranged by
the special board of army officers ap-
pointed to recommend the best type for
adoption by the army The tests will be
conducted at the Springfield Armory.
The board has made preliminary study
OF the various types that already have
been tested by the department, but has
failed to agree upon any particular make
as being superior. Several types have
been pointed out as being extremely well
adapted for several kinds Of army work.
The new tests are to be conducted with
a view to enabling the army officers to
reach a more definite agreement.
Physical, as well as mental and moral,
examinations will be given colonels of
the line OF the Marine Corps who may
be selected for the new grades of brig
adler general. The tests will be ap-
piled after the designations have been
made but before the commissions are
issued
The point has been raised that promo
tions Of this character are governed by
army laws, and IT has been pointed out
that appointments to the grade of brig
adler general in the army have no rela-
ton to the qualification.
The Secretary of the Navy, on the ad-
vice Of the Judge advocate general of the
navy, has determined that the appoint
ment Of the brigadier generals OF the
Marine Corps is governed by the act of
March 3, 1899. which provides that officers
OF the Marine Corps above the grade OF
captain, except major general, shall, be-
fore being promoted, be subject to such
physical. mental and moral examination
as Is prescribed by law for other officers
Of the Marine Corps.
Ten or twelve army training camps for
citizens may be recommended to Con-
gress by Secretary OF War Baker, in his
next annual report Consideration Of the
matter Of training camps will be given
particular attention by Mr.. Baker during
the next month
Secretary Baker is desirous Of having
between $1,000 and 5000 citizens under
training, and this plan will require large
appropriations for the furnishing of uni
forms. subsistence. transportation and
medical supplies.