The Washington herald., 1917-01-09
Army and Navy News
Best Service Csis.s IN city

"The Congressional prohibition against
the provision of mileage for army and
navy officers who attend conventions
and the meetings of scientific. technical
and professional societies has resulted in
deprtving experts Of an opportunity to
be present at some important meetings"
says the Army and Navy Register.
Recent legislation has corrected this
In behalf of officers Of the Public Health
Service. and Congress will now be asked
to relieve the military-naval personnel
OF a restriction that has operated to the
detriment OF the government This subject
has heretofore been important, but, due
to the cooperation of these technical So
cieties In the work of national defense
and to the development OF nitrate manu-
facture, which is now being undertaken
by the Army Ordnance Department and
the Navy Ordnance Bureau, and which
will utilize to high degree the knowl-
edge Of mechanical, electrical and chemi-
cal engineers, II is believed to be of great
er Importance than ever before.
1T is thought that the spirit of friendly
cooperation between the members of
these societies and representatives Of the
government should be cultivated. and that
this can best be done by the presence of
the latter at these meetings and by an
exchange Of ideas and by oral discus
sion."
The addition of goggles to the list of
articles Of military equipment Of the
army Is a direct result of the service Of
United States troops on the border, where
goggles have been found Indispensable.
A pattern which has proven satisfac-
tory has been designated as a standard.
When the troops went to Texas and into
Mexico It was found necessary to have
some protection for the eyes, not only
from the glare of the sun, but from the
sand storms prevalent in that section.
The men found it advisable to purchase
! these goggles out OF their individual re-
sources. although in some cases the ar
ticles were purchased out Of company
funds, but every one came to wear them
or to have them SO they could be worn.
for when in actual use over the eyes
| they are conveniently carried above the
brim OF the campaign hat
The goggles have assumed such impor-
| tance as a prevention of eye trouble that
| they have become a part OF the uniform
| which the government must supply, as
essential as the hat and shoe in their
respective functions. The goggles there
fore, will be issued from the quarter
| master list Of equipment Of troops serv-
ing on the border or whenever also they
are necessary. In addition to goggles of
| ordinary type. a special design will be
carried lor issue 10 aVlators-
AS a means OF economy. Secretary of
the Navy Daniels has suggested that
naval officers live outside their respec-
tive reservations and receive commuta-
ton instead of Occupying public quarters
which. may be utilized for the housing
OF the Industrial equipment OF the vari-
Gus navy yards.
He does not believe that a navy yard
Is place where social functions should
be held, and he thinks there should be
separation between the Official and
the personal life OF the naval oficer on
| duty at a navy yard.
This does not mean. Mr.. Daniels eX-
plains, that officers should be separated
from their commands in the sense that
officers shall not be in close contact with
the men under them. but no such rule
need apply to the commissioned person
mel at navy yard. Indeed. he thinks
that there is every reason why officers
should not have their quarters and live
with their families at a navy yard. He
does not contemplate any radical change
Immediately. but IT is something he has
in mind TO be brought about as condi-
tions at navy yards demand