Evening star., 1923-05-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
BY nj. III. MCINTYRE

dead as the proverbial door nail"
While no information is forthcoming
from the Secretary regarding the re.
ports from the department chiefs and
fleet. which have been in his hands
for some time. 1t is definitely known
that the proposal Is practically with
out support in the service at large.
A canvass OF the department shows
the Engineering Corps unanimously
against the change, the bureau Of
construction and repair taking almost
nm Identical attitude of the supply
Corps in the main also against 1t.
Among the line officers there ap-
pears to be practically no sentiment
for the amaleamstion as proposed and
among a majority of the officers bit
ter opposition. Most of them take
the attitude that even at present the
duties Of line officer are so complex
and complicated that it is impossible
for the Individual to learn everything
he should know in connection with
them without attempting TO include
In his repertoire the technical infor--
nation needed for the specialized
branches Of the service
In view Of the practical unanimity
OF opinion IL is generally conceded
that the proposed bill az it now stands
is doomed. but what action Secretary
Denby will take after going over
the reports now in hts possession. is
not known. The question has been
live one for the past ten years and
the Secrctary's evident desire to Sc
cure legislation that will better con-
ditions and promote more thorough
harmony between staff and line has
hearty support. Whether the present
bill could be so amended AS to meet
with favor in the service is consld-
cred problematical. While the need
for some change is generally admit
ted, the problem that confronts the
Secretary. naval officers say. is to find
method that will accomplish this with
out hurting the efficiency Of the Navy.
Recent comment by we'll known
British writers on the attitude OF
a part, at least. OF her scrapping pro-
gram without waiting for formal rati-
flcation Of the pact agreed upon by
the limitation Of armament confer
ence, comparing II with the stand or
the American government, has aroused
considerable interest in naval circles.
Representing, 1t is understood, the
attitude of the President. Secretary
DENLY has stood firm on the decision
not to proceed to scrap the battle-
ships doomed by the treaty until
France. the last Of the five powers
though the delay has been costly, it
being estimated that the average
overhead cost OF postponing scrap
ping operations has approximated a
million dollars monthly, just a starter
of the total costs that are ac.
standing by" waiting orders to start
disposal of the old battleships.
To cut down this expense as much
as possible, however the policy OF
| wherever possible in place Of buying
It new has been adopted, and for
months. piece by piece, the equipment
| has been finding its way into ships in
active service.
This policy has been followed out
SO consistently that a part of those
old ships have been SO thoroughly
dismantled that to all intents they
, have been scrapped. Some OF them
could not be put back into service.
naval experts say, in less than year
to two years time.
A recent survey of the thirteen bat
tleships out Of commission shows the
extent of this "scrapping" on them
The New Jersey and Virginia, located
at Boston, have been stripped of prac-
| used by the navy yard as a source of
supply for the repair OF many ships
notably the Canopus.
The Kansas. Louisiana, Minnesota.
New Hampshire. South Carolina and
Michigan. all at Philadelphia. have
the cases Of these ships, however.
several Of them have had essential
| auxiliaries removed: notably the
Michigan, whose generators have
been used to fit out the aircraft car
rier Langley. It Is estimated that It
will require a year and q half to
replace some of these auxil!aries.
The Vermont. Georgia, Rhode Is
land and Nebraska. at Mare Island.
are in much better condition, though
The Nebraska is reported to be in the
best shape. comparatively little hav-
ing been taken from her.
The Connecticut, at Puget sound,
has only recently gone out of COM
mission and is in good condition.
navigation lights, having been taken
from her. according to latest reports.
She Is laid up in accordance with
recent instructions drawn up to pre-
won't as far as possible any deteriora-
ton.
Recent agitation in favor Of a
straight six-year enlistment period is
frowned on apparently by the bureau
of, navigation. In recent poll"
Of recruiting officers on the subject
more than 90 per cent were opposed
to such a change. and the minority
qualified their opinion by the provision
that the age limit be reduced TO six
teen years.
In reporting the result of this poll
the bureau points out that most of the
minority came from districts that had
dustrial prosperity, which is held par
TALLY responsible for the reduction in
enlistments during the last few
months from 500 to $40 per week and
in applicants from 1000 to $50 per
Many OF the officers reported that
they considered the present. four-year
enlistment period too long to secure
recruits for the Navy in the neces-
sary number and quality under the
prevailing industrial conditions.
The bureau also points out that
about two years ago. when recruits
were allowed to choose between a two
or four year enlistment. about ?5
per cent chose the shorter period. The
large number of three-year enlist
ments made at that time was due to
the rule requiring men. to enlist for
three years II they wanted assignment
to trade schools. It was stated also
that most OF the desirable applicants
now refuse to enter the service for a
period OF four years, in some districts
this number amounting to so per cent.
Patrons Of downtown washin.ton
motion picture palaces have nothing
on the sailors of the United States
Navy while at sea. BY an arrange
ment Just completed with various film
producers the Navy Motion Picture
Excnange can now. furnish the fleet
with pre-release pictures, giving the
boys a chance to see the new films a :
| the same time the first-run houses are
offering them to their clients.
In order to put this across" the
Navy had to pledge itself that none of
| these pictures would be exhibited at
shore stations until they were gem
orally released. AS q result the great
| est precautions have been taken to
prevent any chance "slip-up." Signs
as patent as a smallpox signal on a
quarantined home will decorate the