The Washington herald., 1916-10-07
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service CoIumn I'm civ.

The Ninth Regiment Of field artillery,
stationed in Hawaii, rapidly is being or
ganized and equipped. Two Of the bat
teries are equipped with 6-inch howitzers
and four with 4.7-inch guns. The ma
terial and personnel of the regiment will
be transported entirely by motor vehi-
cles.
Each battery will have five tractors of
the caterpillar type for drawing the first
five sections, six ammunition trucks. one
store truck corresponding to the present
battery and store wagons, one passenger
automobile, and motorcycles with side
cars. Each battalion headquarters will
have one repair truck and one store
truck Battery c. field artillery, station
ed at Fort Sill. already. is equipped in
the same manner.
A new system for the messing Of the
enlisted men of the navy may soon be
ordered. A change in the system is being
contemplated by officers of the Atlantic
Fleet. The officers speak in commenda-
ton Of the so-called cafeteria system in
vogue aboard the L. S. S. New York.
Admiral Mayo, Rear Admiral Coffman
and Rear Admiral Fechteler are enthu-
siastic over the system
THE cafeteria system OF messing as
operated on board the New York" says
HuIllTdl NLdyO o. ID great improvement
over the old system. Before recommend
ing its adoption throughout the service,
however. the commander-in-chief believes
it desirable to try out the plan which is
suggested on board the Y. s. S. Michi-
gan. 1t is doubtful II the cafeteria sys-
TEN is as well adapted to small vessels
and some Of the older battleships, which
are not so open between decks as the
newer ships. is the Michigan plan. 1t
t. Id LnW he MIA ted
on board the Michigan be given a
thorough trial. In the meantime, vessels
Of the New York type should be encour-
aged TO try out the cafeteria system"
The Michigan method involves the de
livery Of food on racks and III large uten-
sils, which are so placed on tables as 10
afford easy access to them on the part
Of the enlisted men. It takes up less
space than the cafeteria system and, as
adaptable to vessels on which there is
not a great deal OF space.
To conduct an investigation prepsra-
tory to the acquisition Of armored motor
cars for the Marine Corps. a board Of
marine officers, composed Of Col. Charles
G. Long Mai. Earl H. Ellis, and Capt
Seth Williams. assistant quartermaster,
has been appointed. An appropriation OF
$4,000 for two such cars was made at the
recent session Of Congress.
The present tendency is to provide for
the corps outfits Of compare lively light
type, on the theory that they can better
be loaded aboard ship and unloaded, and
that they can more satisfactorily traverse
the uneven terrain and rough roads en-
countered IN expeditionary service.
Bids on the new battle cruisers auth
orized at the last session Of Congress
will be opened about December !, plans
partment. Secretary Daniels has decided
| that is, for a definite aggregate sum for
the construction of the vessels in &C
cordance with departmental designs.
Secretary Daniels will not avail him.
self Of the privilege authorized by Con
gress to contract for any or all OF the
battle cruisers upon the basis of actual
cost plus profit expressed in percentage
| to be determined by him. Some of the
| departmental experts favor the plar
authorized by Congress, and it is possible
that later it will be put into effect
| While there are obvious advantages &c
| be gained by this system Of awarding
| contracts for new construction, II is ap-
preciated by the naval authorities that
difficulties are likely to be encountered
| IN determining actual cost" and It Is
| pointed out that there would be in
evitably many questions as tc the details
which contribute to tho amount to which
"a reasonable profit" in the language OF
| the law, may be added.