The Washington herald., 1917-03-18
Army and Navy News
Best service Column Q. csty.

With In the next two months exam
nations will be held for candidates from
civil life desiring appointment to COM
missions In the corps OF civil engineers
OF the navy. On appointment the sue
cessful candidates will receive the rank
Of lieutenant Gunior grade) instead Of
ensign. as has been the case in the past
The change is due to legislation in
corporated in the naval appropriation act
OF March 4. The act OF August 20. 1915
In its personnel provision provided for
an authorized strength of the civil en-
gtneer corps as two per cent of the line
At the present time the authorized
strength Of this corps. exclusive of two
additional numbers. Is a. while there
are actually commissioned q total OF 81,
with two ensigns now under instruc-
ton in preparation for future transfer
from the line, making a prospective total
of 80 when these officers are appointed
There are therefore five vacancies in
the corps, with a prospect OF four more
during the present calendar year. Ow-
ing TO the shortage Of officers of the
line, it is not possible to designate for
the next year or two any more officers
for transfer to this corps. On account
Of the greatly increased appropriations
under the Bureau Of Yards and Docks
for public works It is imperative that
the vacancies in the corps of civil en-
gineers be filled as soon as practicable
The change in rank from ensign to that
of lieutenant 0unior grade) was rendered
necessary by the impossibility OF secur-
Ing satisfactory men with suitable train
Ing after graduation for the remunera-
ton which the rank Of ensign provides.
Applicants to be eligible for appointment
would be required to have q deGree in
engineering from q college or university
OF recognized standing and several years
practical experience.
The new condition places appointees
from civil life on the same footing as
officers transferred from the line. In
the latter case selections are made from
ensigns who have had not less than one
years service after graduation, and these
officers are not usually appointed In the
CORPS until they have demonstrated their
fitness by successfully completing a two
year postgraduate course at a technical
school, By that time they have attained
the rank of lieutenant 0unior gradel In
the case Of the medical corps Of the
United States Navy, where requirements
are similar in that applicants must have
had a professional education and train
ing, the lowest rank Is lieutenant 0unor
grade).
ARRANGEMENTS are being completed by
Paymaster General MCGOWAN, Of the
Navy, for the expenditure Of the appro-
priation Of $S,0co0oo made Immediately
available in the laval act Of March
for the purchase Of apparatus and ma
terial for q war reserve supply.
The schedule Of articles has been COM
pleted, and bids will be invited shortly
in the usual way, followed by award OF
contract. The Bureau OF Supplies and
Accounts intends to acquire the material
in the shortest possible time The ard-
cles are of a varied character, such as
searchlights, steering apparatus ana SO
on, which ordinarily are purchased oy
contract as needed. 1t Is now planned
to buy them in quantities and keep them
in storage for fitting out merchant auxil-
iaries and vessels Of the fleet when In
the opinion Of the President a national
emergency exists. It will be possible TO
make drafts upon this stock OF reserve
material to fill the current demands and
maintain the reserve accumulation by
purchases made from the funds OF the
bureaus. the acquisitions Of which are
thus filed This provision is regarded
bv the naval purchasing officers as one
of the most important transactions au-
thorized b Congress.
Announcement has been made by the
War DEPARTMENT Of an examination OF can
didates for appointment to commissions
in the veterinary branch Of the army, TO
be held on July z There are about
fourteen vacancies to be filled. Exam
nations will be Held wherever there are
candidates and the papers will be marked
by a central board in session at Fort
Sam Houston.