The Washington herald., 1916-07-16
The Herald Army and Navy Department
Most Published

The principle OF promotion by selection
in the navy seems destined to be retained
In the naval appropriation bill, 81 any
significance is attached to the personal
attitude of nearly all the House con-
ferees. This principle, it appears, will be
forced into pending naval personnel legfs-
iation when the naval appropriation bin
comes up for discussion.
Nearly all the conferees seem to favor
ms seiective IDEA when 1t is applied TO
advancement from the grades Of COM
inander and captain. In fact. one OF the
conferees has inferred that the principle
OF promotion by selection will be one of
the conditions imposed for the considera-
pon OF naval personnel legislation.
Ihls would seem to mean that unless
the promotion of candidates from the
grades mentioned is based on the selec-
tive theory there will be strenuous oppo-
sition to any increase in naval grades
ana numbers OF the line and staff corps
When the conferees finally work down
10 the details of the plan. however. there
may be a change of sentiment, particu-
iarly In view Of the violent opposition of
the navy to any abandonment of the
principle Of promotion by seniority. which
principle Is heartily favored by most of
the high-ranking officers of the service
The effect OF the promotion by selection
Idea may be gained to some extent by the
elimination of officers through transfer TO
the retired list or to an active reserve
list but 1t is not known at this time how
Congress will view such an idea.
Appointments OF members Of thi. years
graduating class at the West Point Mill
tary Academy to the grade of second
lieutenant in the regular army, has re-
duced by fully 100, the 6uO vacancies in
that grade, created by the increase in
the commissioned personnel of the mill
tary forces by the army reorganizat ton
act Of June 3.
There remain, therefor, about 100
vacancies, many of which will be filled by
examinations which begin next month,
and which will be held for candidates,
not only for second neutenancies of the
line. but for candidates who desire ap-
pointment to the same grade In the En-
gineer Corps
For this latter grade, however. there
are surprisingly few applicants it seems
while for the grade of second lieutenant
OF the line, only 500 applications have thus
lar been received by the War Department
During the next few weeks, IL is hoped
to add considerable number of appIi-
cants to those who have already applied
for examination, and to have, IL posi-
BILE, at least 1000 who will undergo the
tests for appointment.
With the exception OF the honor grad
yates of military schools, the certificates
OF which will be sufficient for mental
qualifications, all of the various candi-
dates will be subjected to the same ex-
animation. The honor graduates of mil
ltary schools, however. will have to un-
dergo physical tests.
The War Department is making plans
to have the examinations held in parts
OF the United States and its possessions
at the same time. The examination pa
pers, however. will be marked at Wash
inston and the results made known as
soon as possible.
1t Is desired to have the commissions
or those who pass these tests. issued at
the earliest time practicable. and for this
reason. the work will be rushed The
appointments of those who qualify. Will
be provisional for the first two years. dur
ing which period the candidates will have
a chance TO demonstrate their fitness for
the service. II they demonstrate this ft-
ness by the close Of the two-year period.
the appointments will become permanent
Candidates from the enlisted personnel
including officers of the Philippine Scouts,
will be appointed to commissions first,
then come the members OF the officers
reserve corps. then commissioned off
GERS of the National Guard, then the hon