Evening star., 1923-12-30
Army ndNavyNews
BY, M. H. MCINTYRE

Under the revision Of chapter Z.
Naval Regulations. an important ex-
tension OF authority Is given to Ad-
miral e. w. Eberle, chief of naval op-
erations. In effect the chief Of naval
operations is given the same author
ity In the Navy as the chief Of stan
mas IN the Army. and orders Issued
from the formers Office Is to be con-
sioered as coming from the Secretary
OF the Navy. This is but another step
in giving the Navy a general staff sys-
tenn. which was conclusfvely vindicat-
ed In the world war. Not only did
termany extend the powers of its
general staff during hostilities, but
aii other nations followed the same
policy. AS revised. the regulations
pertaining to this subject read as fol-
lows:
fhe chief of naval operations shall,
under the direction of the Secretary
Oh the Navy. be charged with the op-
Grafton of the feet, and with the
preparation and readiness of plans for
its use In war. and shall SO co-ordi-
nate ali repairs and alterations to
vessels and the supply of personnel
ana material thereto as to insure at
All times the maximum readiness of
tne Meet for war. All orders issued
Dy the chief Of naval operations in the
execution OF his assigned duties shall
0e considered as emanating from the
secretary OF the Navy and shall have
fuil force and effect as such"
Attacks on the Woods running-mate
Dill mas brought a number of prompt
repiies from the supporters of this
measure. Members of the committee
IN the Navy Department who framed
the Dill welcome constructive criti-
cisms and are prepared to defend the
Dill While admitting that II has some
defects, the members of the commit
Tee contend that 1t provides a plan
through which the entire naval estab-
lishment in the future will be united
on any program for an increase in the
line or staff.
This week official recognition OF
the Importance of explaining the pro-
visions of the bill was made by the
bureau Of navigation. The authors
or the bill are desirous that the Navy
become fully acquainted with the ef-
Iects or this proposed legislation be-
fore Congress takes up the bill.
The bureau of navigation, In its
closing statements, states that the
cost Of the bill will average approx
mately $4,000 per year for the next
ten years, and thereafter the cost
VIII decrease. This will meet the de-
mAnds for economy in Congress, and
II the members of the Senate and
House committees on naval affairs
can be convinced that IL will in
crease the efficiency of the Navy its
passage is assured.
In commenting on the hearings
Chief Constructor Watts, who was
No. on the list of lieutenant COM
manders and chief Of the bureau, with
the rank of admiral, is quoted as
saying:
"As the line of the Navy is the
largest corps or body in the service
1t Is believed that promotion in that
body should regulate promotion
throughout the service. Accordingly
1t is believed that promotion of every
officer Of the stan throughout his
active service should be with the line
ofncer with whom or next after whom
stated. / consider the running mate
promotion Of line and staff as a bet
ter and more permanent solution OF
the problem incident to equity OF
promotion
Naval Constructor Taylor, who is
No. on the list OF captains, in COM
menting on the bill. said:
The cure for the conditions which
make so largely for discomfort Is to me
very simple. 1t is to standarize the
matter OF promotion or advancement
and place officers as nearly as may be
upon one uniform basis. / believe that
IN order to remove pernanently the