The Washington herald., 1916-04-09
THE HERALD'S ARMY
AND NAVY DEPARTMENT
Latest and Nest Complete News of
Service and Personnel Published
In Wnshiaptea.
BY E. d. JOHNS.


As committee amendment 10 the
army bill the Senate committee has
decided to submit provision for the
equalization OF promotion In the army.
FOR Years an effort has been made TO
reach an agreement among the different
arms OF the service upon some scheme
oy which officers win be placed on one
roofing for the purpose OF promotion. II
is generally acknowledged that the
present system of promotion In the
separate arms produces unjust inequali-
Ties and consequently friction through
out the army.
Aside from the matter of justice 10 the
onicers In the army II is apparent that
more weight would be given 70 recon-
mendations of army boards IL the ques-
ton of promotion was eliminated. Under
the present conditions II a cavalry board
recommends any Increase In the strength
OF the mounted service II is always open
TO the charge of advancing a promotion
scheme The same Is true Of infantry,
fleld artillery and coast artillery. Their
reasons for making a Recommendation
may be ever 30 sound but stiii those who
are opposed to any increase in the
strength of the army are able to make
the charge that the proposed change Is
an effort OF officers to secure advance
, ment
use Of tho list of detached officers In
equalizing the promotions between the
four arms BY the provision the matter
of distributing promotions Is left largely
to the President and Secretary Of War.
To some officers this Is Questionable as
they contend that the distribution Of pro-
motions should be prescribed by law. The
navy Is more fortunate in this respect as
all line officers are on a single list and
the lie anNinftg m he ntaCAd
the same basis.
There is also a provision in the amend
ment by which only one colonel can be
assigned or attached TO any regiment.
Capt. A. NJ, Miller, cavalry, one of the
observers with the allies army, will
probably be assigned temporarily TO the
bassy in London. Eventually another
officer will be sent to this post, but while
the department has the matter under
consideration Capt. Miller will be assign
ed to duty. 1t is understood that he was
selected on account of being the senior
officer Of the corps of observers with
the English army
In executive session yesterday the
House Committee on Naval Affairs took
up the naval appropriation bill section
by section and will keep at it until the
bill Is ready to be reported to the House.
AS soon as the appropriation bill is out
of the way the committee will give its
attention to the departmental personnel
recommendations. 1t is not believed
that extensive hearings VIII be conduct
ed on the personnel bill as most OF the
witnesses before the committee during
the consideration OF the appropriation
bill discussed personnel legislation.
The indications are that the committee
will report out four battle cruisers in
stead of two battleships and two battle
cruisers as recommended by the Secre-
tary of the Navy. So many of the wit
nesses have dwelt on the Importance of
! adding this type to the capital ships of
the navy that the committee has vir-
tually decided to include only battle
cruisers in this years program.
An effort will be made by the larger
navy advocates to secure a program of
four battle cruisers and two battleships
from the committee. 1t is understood
that the Republicans in the committee,
or at least a majority of them, have
agreed to support this program. II they
are defeated in the committee the fight
will be carried on to the floor OF the
House with an excellent prospect OF
success. Failing in the House. the fight
for two battleships and four battle
cruisers will be again taken up in the
Senate committee and later on the floor
OF the Senate.
The passage of a bill providing FOR
four capital ships is now assured. Al
least the administrator program of
auxiliary ships will be included in the
bill when it is signed by the President.
There never was a better prospect for
the passage of the Administrations rec
! ommendation than at the present. The
sentiment for preparedness is having its
effect upon Congress. and there is icss
opposition to an increase in the navy
| than to the army.