The Washington herald., 1916-10-12
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column in City.

An enlisted man may hold a postrnas-
tership or any similar Federal position
without violating the law according to
decision rendered by the War Depart
ment. The decision was rendered in the
case OF sergeant OF the first class. of
the medical department, who is holding
the position of postmaster of the Fort
Logan Colo, post office, just outside
the military reservation in the fncor-
porated town Of Sheridan. The sergeant
competed with two or more civilians
for the position.
The question was presented whether
this postmastership was in violation Of
the national defense act, which provides
that no enlisted man in the active serv-
ice of the army shall be permitted to
leave his post to engage in any pur-
suit Tor emolument when the same shall
interfere with the customary employment
or regular engagement Of local civilians
In the respective arts, trades, or pro-
fessions."
1t Is held by the War Department that
even If the new legislation could be con-
strued as limitation placed by the gov
ernment upon its own power of employ
ment which is regarded as doubtful, the
performing Of a part of the function Of
government. such as administering the
duties Of postmaster. does not come with
in the definition Of an art, trade, or pro-
fession.
Postmasters have been enlisted in the
campaign to gather recruits for the army
and navy The national defense act OF
June and the naval APPROXIMATION bill
OF August % permit the payment Of
bounues to postmasters who obtain re-
cruits. Regulations concerning co-opera-
tion have been issued by the adtutant
Generals office at the War Department.
The first payments were to the post
masters at Utica, y. Y, and Green's
burg, La. Each received $. Army re-
cruiting officers have been directed TO
aid the postal authorities by supplying
literature for distribution. Whenever II
Is possible to trace the source of a re-
cruit to a postmaster, the payment is
to be made without delay and without
red tape. 1t will be considered sufficient
for credit If any suggestion on the part
OF a postmaster results in the acceptance
of the candidate for enlistment
No special effort in the way Of drum
ming up recruits is required or expect
ed on the part Of the pOstmasters. It
is determined TO utilize that source Of
enlisted men. although II SAY not pro-
duce the number OF recruits that has
been described as a result of that new
method. Most OF the military naval
authorities would have preferred the
allotment OF a fund. equivalent to what
may be paid the postmasters, to have
been used asa bounty to those active
ly engaged in recruiting and connect
ed with the service.
War Department authorities are
watching with interest the filing of
applications by field orficers Of the
line Of the army who desire to take
the course of instruction to be con-
Quoted I the Signal Corps aviation
school at San Diego. Cal
A chosen number of the applicants
will be sent to the school for a course
Of approximately six weeks duration.
Officers desiring 10 attend have been
urged to file applications 1T once with
the adjutant general Of the army.
The course will BE- conducted from
time to time at the school to furnish
competent field officers for the high
er executive and administrative duties
Of the aviation section OF the army. Il
IS not intended to train these field Of
fiCors to become active pilots. hut 70
familiarize them with the character of
training required and with the tactical
use OF the aerOp.ane in time Of war
Army dental surgeons with the rank
of first lieutenant who have served
eight years, have been ordered for eX-
animation for promotion to the next
hiCher rank. in accordan-e with the
provisions Of law. It will be deter
mined later by the War Department
whether such officers as are advanced
shall be newly commissioned
All Of the contract dental surgeons
have qualified for permanent appoint
ment. with the exception Of three. who
failed physically-One in the Philip
pines, another in Hawaii. and the third
in the southern Department.
There is nc provision OF law for the
retirement of the disqualified contract
dental surgeons and they will be dis
charged from the service after being
ordered home and after taking ad-
vantage of such Jeave as has accrued
to them.