The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-15
BY T.. b. JOHNS.

ny r. ID. JOHNS.
In his peculiarly picturesque form
of expression Capt william s. Simms
yesterday before the House Committee
on Naval Affairs praised Secretary
Daniels administration and advocated
promotion by selection. No witness
before the committee has said as
many good things for the present sd-
ministrstion of naval affairs as the
the captain did.
III Secretary Daniels secures legis-
lation for promotion by selection"
said Capt. Simms, he will demonstrate
that he is one OF the biggest men that
has been at the head of the Navy
Department. He is the first secretary
that has ever had the courage to rec
ommend il. although most of them
have recognized the fact that nothing
would increase the efficiency of the
navy more than this important re-
form"
In arguing for new personnel Iegis-
lation along lines recommended by
the Secretary of the Navy. Capt Simms
said: Almost any officer who keeps
his stomach in good order and keeps
from being court-martialed will even
tually reach the grade OF rear admiral.
1t may not be until a few months be-
fore his retirement, but most of them
Will at least become captains without
demonstrating any capacity for such a
command"
Not being satisfied with indorsing
Secretary Daniels administration and
defending him against the attack of
his enemies, Capt. Simms called atten-
ton to what he believed were some of
the mistakes in Secretary Meyers adj
ministration.
Wireless telegrsphy will be the only
means Of communication for any force
that is sent into Mexico to get Villa "
All of the wireless outfits and telegraph
companies of the Signal Corps in con-
tinental United States have been sent
to the Mexican border and their work
will be watched with deep interest by
military authorities Of all nations.
Although the Signal Corps is short Of
personnel and equipment some of its ap-
planes are entirely new and will be used
for the first time in war. In connection
with the permanent radio stations at
Brownsville and Fort Sam Houston, the
field sets are now keeping Gen. Funston
in touch with all of the troops stationed
on the border. At the headquarters of
Gen. Funston's staff, is a large tractor
radio set, which has a communication
radius of about 800 miles. There are two
other tractor sets with about the same
almost a $ great a power.
For communication between the differ
ent regiments and brigades in the division
the troops have pack sets which are
carried on the backs of two mules. The
pack sets have q communication radius
of about twenty miles Aside from the
radio sets each telegraph company
carries a field telegraphic outfit with
about forty miles of ground wire These
wires are used for semi-permsnent
stations and can be strung as rapidly as
an automobile or a team can be driven.
An almost negligible PERCENTAGE of men
have deserted from the United States
Marine Corps during the past three
months, and all records in this respect
have been broken according to a state
ment just issued from the headquarters
of the corps in Washington.
Only high grade men take up the Ma
rine Corps service. the officers state by
way OF explanation. and the marine
who looks lightly upon his oath OF OBJ
legation these days is a rarity. Deser-
ton has not been a Marine Corps pro-
bIem for several years, and during the
last year has dropped into insignifcance.
Capt. ]. G. workizer, c. A. c., reported
at the War Department yesterday
Among the naval officers visiting the
Navy Department yesterday were Lieut.
Commander David A. Boyd, U. S. S.
Bushnell, and Lieut.. Commander F. T.
Evans. training station Newport and
Gunner H. w. McEvey.
CaynIry Equinment.