The Washington herald., 1916-07-30

Building-ways In private shipbuilding
plants could easily care for all the big
vessels called for in the naval appropria-
ton bill, according to information COM
piled by the naval authorities. Private
establishments in the United States have
ten ways of sufficient size, without
alteration, to construct Dreadnoushts.
-Four OF these are capable of handling
battle cruisers. Six more ways could be
constructed in these yards within COM
paratively short time.
The naval appropriation bill, as passed
by the Senate provides for a total of
| hfty-six vessels. Only eight of these
ships, four battleships and four battle
cruisers, necessitate large ways. Numer-
Gus slips are available for the smaller
vessel embodied in the building program.
one builder has informed the authorities
that he can deliver small submarines at
the rate of 10 a year.
AS result of the investig ation in
stituted by the department. no doubt
: exists that there are sufficient
gram contemplated by the administra-
tion, and as to the willingness Of the
industry. as a whole. to accept the work
involved in the production.
| Practically all American yards at this
| time are crowded with merchant vessels
under construction and under the con-
ditions required to complete some of the
vessels might be somewhat in excess of
the time which is desirable now. but
should not be materially greater than
the customary construction periods.
The only certain method Of materially
| accelerating contract construction is the
provision Of ample funds to enable con-
tracts to be awarded at figures COM
parable with those now being paid for
merchant ships, with adequate premiums
for early delivery.
! The army transport Fitzpatrick. now
en- route from New York to the Canal
Zone, has been ordered to call at Kings
ton, Jamaica, and take on. 200 horses,
which are needed on the Isthmus by the
military authorities. 1t has been found
that the horses of required size can be
obtained in Jamaica much cheaper than
in the United States, and It is also easy
| to make the transfer at Kingston.
This is expected 10 be the last sailing
of the Fitzpatrick for several months, as
1t is probable she will be laid up for nee
essary repairs. The Fitzpatrick has been
on the New York to the Canal route for
some time. 1t is thought that the trans
port Sumner will take the place OF the
Fitzpatrick. The Sumner has just COM
pleted a delivery OF refugees to Porto
Rico and was placed out of commission
at Newport News.
The authorized strength Of the army
for the next fiscal year having been Of
flcially determined by the War Depart
ment, It has been possible during the past
week to fix the first increase in the COM
missioned personnel of the Medical Corps
which, under the terms of the national
: =
stoned officers for every one thousand of
the enlisted strength Of the army.
The increase will give a total Of $40
officers, so distributed in grades as to
promote to the next higher rank Lieut.
Coils. Kendall. Banister, Mason, Glenna n.
Bradley, Prick, Keefer. Wilcox, Ray
mond, Snyder. Smith. Clarke. Ireland
Fisher, Shaw and Winter. The majors
on the list will be those to include Rob
ert n. Win. The captains to be pro-
NOTED will embrace those to include
Alexander r. Cooper
This will leave about 40 vacancies,
more than half Of which It is hoped will
fill as the result OF the examination held
July II. and two to follow in October,
and at a later date. There are now 10
who have been or will be examined.
49, 81 Ct that candidates hereafter will
-4Igible for appointment II not more
/ tnan g. years Of age, will have the ef-
feet of increasing the list OF those who
can take the examination. It has been
found that the age of graduation and
the subsequent hospital service, which is
required. has increased in the last few
years so that the former maximum age
of 30 years excluded many medical stu
dents who will now be Of the eligible
class.
The first Of the retired army officers to
be promoted under the provisions Of the
national defense act is First Lieut.
Franklin r. Kenney. who is in charge Of
the army recruiting station at Chica 60
He has been commissioned captain with
out the fornalty of a nomination TO the
Senate. This procedure will be followed
in all cases of retired officers who are
advanced in rank, pay and allowance. not
above that OF major.
The career of one of the greatest man
hunters" of the American army ended
last week when Col. George A Dodd
who led the chase into Mexico after
Villa. following the bandits raid on Co.
lumbus. N Mex, was retired as a brig
adler general
The hunt for Villa is only one of the
man-hunts participated in by Brig Gen
Dodd. His first was a chase for the In
dian renegade Geronimo. He then elimi-
mated the notorious Mexican bandit Tren-