Evening star., 1923-12-30

!, elements of dissatisfaction and fneQual-
ity 1t would be very desirable to stand
ardize promotion or advancement upon
the basis Of length Of service"
The concluding statement OF the sup
porters Of the bill take UP the claim
of the protest against the measure
that 'the abnornally high rate OF
casualties due to designations and re-
tirements, are greater than those OF
ing to figures, which are submitted,
the rate of designations since January
/, 1922, has been: For the line, "a
per cent; Medical Corps, 5.5 per cent ;
Dental Corps, 3.s per cent; Supply
Corps, 0.5 per cent; Chaplains Corps.
per cent: Civil Engineer Corps, 2.S per
cent. 1t is stated that the next ten
years will show only FIVE retirements
for age in the Construction Corps. In
conclusion the communication asks
what real chance for promotion has
with the ranks Of captain and COM
mander filled to a large part with COM
parativeiy young officers, many Of whom
l11ave twenty years service ahead OF
them before being retired for age?'
A number of samples of different
styles of caps which have been pro-
posed as a substitute for the present
blue caps worn by the enlisted men OF
the Navy have been forwarded to Ad-
miral Robert E. COontZ, conmander-in-
chief OF the United States feet
That the bluejacket is entitled to a
chance in the style of his headgear is
generally admitted throughout the
Navy. and no subject has been given
more consideration by naval officers A
large majority of the officers are in
favor of a change, but a wide diver
gence of opinion exists as to the type
Of hat which should be selected. One
style which Is especially favored Is vir-
tually an officers cap without a visor.
1t is claimed that it Is the smartest
cap which has been submitted by the
manufacturers. On the other hand
some of the uncompromising objectors
insist that 1t is too radical a change in
| the uniform OF the biuetacket.
he had approved the findings in the
court martial of Capt. Edward H
Watson, who was commander of the
recent destroyer squadron disaster
and Lieut.. Commander Donald F
Hunter, commander of the Delphi, the
Watson was sentenced to be placed
at the foot OF the captains list OF
the present date and there remain
until he shall have lost $50 numbers
in his grade. Lieut.. Commander Hun
ter was sentenced to lose 100 num-
bers.
Secretary DENLY In approving the
courts sentence did not make any
secret of his sympathy with the bu-
reau of navigation's comments. which
stated that sit is the opinion of this
bureau that the sentence in this case
Eberle, chief of naval operations. i'm
mediately after the announcement OF
the sentence, was summoned to the
Capitol by the Navy subcommittee o.
the House appropriations committee,
which has been holding hearings dur
ing the holiday recess.
Capt. Watson's number in the list
of captains is now &c: His SEN
tence in effect means that not only
must all the captains junior to
him. who are 125 in number. be
promoted. but in addition to this
twenty-fi five commanders must go up
before he comes due. by seniority
for the admirals' list. He is now
fifty years of age and under the pro-
visions of the existing law, must re-
age. 1t has been reported that he
will make application for retirement
after thirty years of service.
Lieut.. Commander Hunter is now
No. 149 on the list of commanders
More than 100 are beneath him
by the Secretary of the Navy he
must be passed by 100 lieuten-
ant commanders before he becomes
due for promotion by. seniority
1t is improbable, of course, with
the sentences of the court, that either
Capt. Watson or Lieut.. Commander
Hunter would be selected out for
promotion.
Though the practice cruise of the
midshipmen is more than six months
away, plans are already being discussed
for it in the Navy Department. 1t has
been recommended by Admiral McCully
service both on the deck and in the
engine room, but authorities in the
Navy Department are not all agreed as
to how far the department should go
in relieving the regular crew Of en-
listed men. 1t Is pointed out that II
engine room instruction for the mid
shipmen there would not be suf-
ficient force on the cruise to give
them the service which is desired.
Considerable opposition has been voiced
as to relieving more than SO per cent
manned by the future adn1irals Of the
Navy. The entire subject is being
studied with great care, and an an
nouncement will in all probability be
made as to the decision on this SUBJ
ject in the near future.
A force of about 1900 marines under
the command of Brig. Gen. Ell K. Cole,
U. 8. M. c., will leave Quantico January
and for Norfolk. AT this port they
son and Sirius and will sail for Panama
to participate In the joint Army and
Navy maneuvers at the canal. The
RESORTS.
EI0pUnA