The Washington herald., 1916-08-09

Naval circles generally welcomed the
news that told of the denomination OF
Representative l. p. PadGett In this
case the Democratic nomination Is
equivalent to election, which means that
If the Sixty-ffth Congress has a Demo
cratic majority, the sessions OF the House
Naval Affairs Committee will be presided
over by Mr.. Padgett.
Mr.. Padgetts return 10 Congress is OF
importance to the navy, Of which he has
been a consistent. active and ardent
as member or chairman Of the commit
tee. In which latter capacity he has
served during the SiNty-third and Sixty
fourth Congresses.
OF the other members OF the House
Naval Affairs Committee so fsr as there
have been prediction results. Mr.. Cal
laway. OF Texas, has been defeated for
denomination and will therefore not be
Z member of the Sixtv-hfth Congress and
the Naval Affairs Committee.
When the next Congress convenes one
Of the most inn Tortant matters affecting
the navy that will he considered is dock
ing
The whole subject is destined to the
subject Of special attention between ses-
sions and definite Tccomme endatiOns for
new docks or the enlargement Of the
present docks will be made to the Con
Ercss.
Something Of what may be anticipated
Is contained in the pending naval appro-
pration bill with its provision for l,0o-
foot docks at Norfolk and Philadelphia.
Others will be needed as soon as pos
stblc, in view OF the construction OF bat
tie cruisers for which the navy has no
facilities and nothing in prospect. eXceTt
'hc new decks ami the extensions Of the
harhSjoWn docks
In ro-Hrd 10 !aEc docks. it is imports Mt
for Con-rrss to remember that it takes
longer to build dry dock than it does
to build battle cruiser. so that any con-
temTIatod action n th, matter Of appro-
priatiuns for III" construction Of dry
docks recommended by the Navy De-
partment viii insure that the docks will
be completed wh~n the battle cruisers are
ready for service.
One effect Of the qualification Of the
National Guard organizations under the
national defense act Of June 3 was 10
eliminate from the respective organiza-
tiors Of the militia the inspector Of
small arms practice authorized under the
Dick law
The Presidents call Of June Is WAS di-
reCtCd to the Orsanized militia and TO
the National Guard. and such organiza-
tions as qualified under the national de
fcnsc act arr in the service as orsauizs
uons Of the National Guard or called as
such into tho service Of The United
States as specified IN section JOS Of the
law
1t follows THAI the inspector Of small
arms :ractice is no part OF the orEaniza-
tiOn of the National Guard as authorized
by the national defense act. and that the
effect Of the qualihCation was to elimi-
nate such an officer from Che orsaniza-
tiOn, the office being abolished.
II is held. however. that the presence
Of any part OF tn" organization or organ
izations, which part has qualified under
the national defense act. could not be in
Cluded for the purpose Of giving such a
force in other words. that the inspector
uf small arms practice is only authorized
for organizations of the National Guard
which have not qualified under the ma
tional defense act. and the office mus,
terminate with the qualification of such
organizations.
Where the inspectors OF small arms
practice have hecn mustered in for o.
carnations which have qualified under
the national defense act. such muster in