The Washington herald., 1916-07-22
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest and Most Complete News Service and Personnel Published
in Washington.
in Washington.

One Of the sights at the Mare Island
Navy Yard, near San Francisco, is a
thermometer" which registers, at a
glance. the exact stage of construction
progress on battleships building at the
Mare Island Yard, compared with vessels
under construction at other places.
This Thermometer" is not really a
thermometer. except that it consists OF a
painted tube" carefully gauged in
percentages. so that the tube. which rep
resents a constructed vessel. may be
painted TO represent a rising column of
mercury The date OF the keel-laying is
is painted in red.
The device, which is on a board about
ten feet high and three feet broad. is
against one of the manufacturing build
ings near the main gate, where the
workmen, coming into the yard each day
may see it. In this way, the workunen
see how the construction OF their own
vessels is progressing in relation to work
on vessels at other yards A certain
the yard authorities say 1t acts as a de-
cided stimulus on ship construction.
Reports that refugees. brought from
Tampico. Mexico, to Galveston. Tex,
aboard the L. S. S. Dixie. filed vigorous
complaints against the conditions under
which they were brought back to the
United States seem TO be without real
Justification, according TO a statement Of
Capt. J. R. P. Pringle, of the Dixie. re-
Gently filed with the Navy Department.
The report says
All refugees express most cordial ap-
probation of the treatment received
aboard the Dixie. The Galveston papers
published interviews which expressed
this same appreciation by refugees. The
refugees volunteered to do any kind Of
work possible to assist the ships force
and some OF the volunteers were en-
ployed in the fireroom and some as mess
men. Most cordial relations existed be-
tween the refugees and the ships ofhcers
and crew at all times.
Certain provisions in the naval appro-
priation bill as reported from the Sen
ate Naval Committee. providing for
naval flying corps, represent some
changes in the action OF the House in
this legislation. Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels said:
1t is believed that naval flying
corps should be produced gradually and
as a natural growth. rather than at
tempting the forced growth which would
result from the enactment into law OF
the provisions in the present appropria-
ton act. In establishing n special corps,
the department deems it advisable not 10
proceed too rapidly, in order to gain the
benefit OF experience.
AT the same time, the shortage Of Of
hcers in the naval service necessitates
seeking the additional officers required
from sources other than the naval acad-
emy. and the provisions for appointment
Of enlisted men and civilians in the serv-
ice for flying duty have been retained.
The Senate committee amendment pro
vided for a naval flying corps CONSISTING
of $50 officers and $50 men, detailed. ap-
pointed, distributed and enlisted in the
various grades. ranks and ratings OF the
Navy and Marine Corps.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels has sub
nlitted a report to Congress. showing the
improvement of American naval vessels
in gunnery since 1910. This report was
in response TO q resolution OF June 20.
ability of the navy. The results follow
Vessels scoring excellent: 1910, l. I2Is,
0; 1918, !; 1914 8; 1al5-l6. 5.
Vessels scoring good: 1910. ,; 1871. 5.
1918. /; 1914. .: I9l5-l6 !,
Vessels scoring fair, 1910. !; 1877. !:
1913, 0; 1914. 2; 19l5-16 .
Vessels scoring poor: 1910 s.; 1872, 5.
1913. .; 1914. 4; 1876. 4
Vessels scoring unsatisfactory: 1870. l.:
1912, II: 1913, 20; 1914. "A; l9l5-l6 ;.
Officers and enlisted men of Perehing' S
expeditionary force in Mexico are en-
titled to 10 and 20 per cent increases
in pay respectively, according to a re-
Treasury, who holds that the expedition
force n IN