The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-08

III tAAll0 OL pChSo p2OAiOSAVho eAA ~ slow, but in time of war, even small one like the Spanish-American, they are brisk; and with the creation of a huge army such as Is now seen, the promotions in the natural order of things will be rapid.
 Many regular who is now a major or lieutenant colonel and who never hoped to get higher than briga- dier general stands an excellent chance of retiring as major general, if not lieutenant general. By reviving the two high grades general and lieutenant generaEthe army will be more thoroughly organ ized and greater efficiency should be the result. Legislation to bring this about had not been expected until the regular session of Congress in December; but it was found that the necessity for the measure, tackled on the soldiers insurance bill as an amendment, was urgent, and it was rushed through without opposition The rank of general, as we'll as l lieutenant general, is to be perma- nent, but the former will apply only to the chief of staff except when the United States has large army in the field.
 As Mai. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, who was serving as chief of staff when he reached retirement age few weeks ago, missed full generalship by so close a shave, it would be a graceful and fitting act on the part of Con- gress if it passed bill raising Scott's rank on the retired list to general. Scott has fine record.
 Senator LaFollette may have thought he was making an eloquent defense of his course in the Senate, but the consensus of opinion Is that he didn't have a leg to stand on.
 
 A plea is made for moae expensive decorations for American fighting men. It isn't what the medal cost but what it represents that makes it worth while.
 Naturally, the Kaiser smiles at the idea of American soldiers drilling with wooden guns, but he needn't think they are going to fight with wooden guns.
 If the navy department would oc- casionally give out the batting aver ages of our destroyers abroad it would lend zest to the liberty loan campaign. It begins to look as If the Hon. J. Tom Heflin spoke hastily. Yet. he merely voiced an opinion held by sev- eral millions of his countrymen
 Kerensky is the recipient of much gratuitous advice these days, most of which comes from persons 1000 miles or more away from Petrograd.
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 In the springtime, gentle Annie, Uncle Sam will begin putting the fin ishing touches to Prussianism, if the job isn't completed sooner.
 The Peruvian Congress decided to sever relations with Germany by a vote of 1o5 to G. That shows how the Kaiser stands in Peru.
 
 Chicago is so excited over the world series that the anvil chorus is per hitting "Burgomaster Bilf' to enjoy a much needed rest
 Whatever the fate of General Kor- niloff, it is hardly probable that he will ever again be in position to swat the Germans
 The illness" of Dr. Michaelis may be merely a preliminary to his step- ping down and out while the step pings good.
 And this is the day on which Dr. N A. Barrett is scheduled to be elect ed president of the city commission.
 
 A poet has sung the praises of the army cook. Who will pay a deserved tribute to the army mule?
 Il
 The crown prince is destined to go down in history as the man who couldn't take verdun.
 
 Hurricane fire" makes the Boche wonder why in Sam Hill he's fighting fnr ha TyaIe