Evening star., 1923-11-18

one which was originally introduced.
The real benefits of the legislation will
accrue to the junior components of the
Army OF the United States.
Regular Army officers have pointed
out that another arbitrary decision
or the controller general is that
wnicn deprived the West Point classes
or lS2z and 1923 of their rental allow
ances for the period of their leaves
Following their graduation from the
academy. One part Of the Treasury
Department treats this rental allow
when the government collects it's
| taxes, while the controller general
makes an entirely different interpre-
tation of the pay act, which deprives
the academy graduate of. this allow
ance just al time when he needs it
that the 1924 class. which will grad
uate next June, will also be deprived
of this allowance. 1t is being
openly discussed that some court ac-
establish the right of second lieuten-
ants to this allowance, which right
fully belongs to them.
Another better Army retirement
campaign will be LAUGHED at the ap-
preaching session of Congress, 1t was
announced this week, providing suffi-
cient support is given by the enlisted
personnel of the regular establish
ment to the movement. Sergt. Err
nest A. Perry, d. f. NJ. L.. sponsored
a similar movement during the last
session Of Congress for twenty-five
year retirement with similar provi-
sions to that Of the Navy.
A few months ago Sergt. Perry
organized the United States Army
Association Of Boosters and headquar-
ters were actually opened in Boston
in the 1st Corps Area and at Fort Jay.
r., rn hTNn n n II
OF other headquarters was contem-
plated. but as sufficient support was
not given the movement 1t was dis
continued.
In motoring to their new changes
of station it is pointed out that
failure on the part of officers in
observing the regulations with re-
spect to changes OF station ana
leaves of absence have resulted in
| much misunderstanding and a large
amount of unnecessary correspond
ence on the subject.
When a change of station is made
the existing regulations prescribe
that an officer must travel w the
shortest usually travelled route, which
of course is by rail. 1t is admitted
that shipping an automobile by raj!
is expensive and 1t is also granted
that 1t is to the officers economical
advantage TO drive his car overland
to his new station. He should, before
doing so, obtain from the quarter
master the amount of time it will re-
uuire TO his new command by rail. If
he cannot motor to his new station
within the prescribed rail time, he
should determine how long. allow
ing for delays. it should take him
to proceed by automobile. He then
should make application for a leave
of absence which will permit him to
travel in that manner
Through ignorance of the regula-
tions, a number of officers have been
required to explain their delay in
arriving at their new stations when
they have motored overland without
obtaining the necessary leave prior
to their departure from their last
station. Some officers have been
charged with absence without leave
through lack Of satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION.
Although orders directing an officer
to change station may state that ne
should reach his new command not
later than a certain date or at any
time between two certain dates. such
orders do not modify the existing
regulations on this subject Before
changing their stations via motor, IT
is suggested that officers acquafnt
themselves with the regulations on
this subject so that unnecessary cor
respondence may be avoided.
NAVY.
Final agreement reached by the
Navy and the budget provide for total
appropriation for the naval establish
ment for the fiscal year 1923 OF approx
mately s302. .000, 900.
While this amount is about $40, ,0oo, 900
less than the appropriation for the
present year, the difference is made up
largely by the smaller amount to be eX-
pended in construction under way, SO
that departmental heads estimate that
actually the money available for cur
rent expenses will be but five or six
millions less than this years.
When the deadlock over the budget
figures developed the Navy was asking
for approximately S31O,000.000, and the
round numbers, would be sufficient. AS
negotiations progressed the difference
was gradually narrowed down. About
S40,000.0O0 was automatically eliminated
by the agreement that all of the pro-
posed new construction that had not
been authorized by Congress should be
left out and that the Navy should take
it's fight for the ten cruisers. six sub
marines and river gunboats UP directly
with Congress before appropriations
be provided.
In the subsequent negotiations the
Navy cut off items here and there from
the original estimates and the budget
made certain increases where the need
the final settlement finds the total
figures about s10.000,000 in excess of the
first estimates allowed by the budget.
The principal cuts threatened which
were most violently contested by the
Navy were: 100000 for the reserve,
So, 500, 900 for the repair of vessels,
50. 900, 900 for torpedoes, s2,500.000 for
aviation and s3000,000 in pay of the
Navy. In each instance compromise
was effected and the original cuts
trimmed down.
The final approved figures for naval
aviation are slightly in excess of s15,-
0O0. 900, a small increase over the money
available this year and about two and
half millions more than the appropria.
ton for the Army air service. Out of
this fund the work Of getting aviation
into the fleet and providing overseas
training must go on. Naval experts
agree that situated as we are naval
aviation must be the first to meet for
eign attack, and training with the fleet
is essential.
For the first time in more than a
wear the Navy is fully manned. The
reau of navigation show surplus of
twenty mine enlisted men over the
authorized strength of $4,000 men. On
October 1 the Navy was 500 men shy
made, according to bureau officials,
by the recruiting bureau.
The complete success of the Navy's
program of foreign cruises for new
ships has been paid the high compli-
ment of immediate emulation by the
British admiralty. Service periodicals
in London announce the official de-
cision to send the British light
cruiser squadron on a visit to the
farthest dominions. The force will
be commanded by Sir Hubert Brand.
Admiral Beatty's flag captain, on the
Lion, and will comprise the Delhi,
flagship; the Danae, Dragon, Daunt-
less and Dunedin.