The Washington times., 1925-08-28

our national army. The disgrace
full conduct OF the American army
OF 1872, 1916, and civil war and
Spanish-American war. not to men
ton the Indian campaigns, all due
to the so-calIed pinching habits OF
Congress, has failed to teach the
American public the need of pre-
paredness in the days Of peace.
When war comes-when our So
called patriotism, consisting OF
waving the flag and pitching hats
in the air, Is pitched high-then
we shell out the dollars like SO
much popcorn. One dollar wisely
spent in these days, preparing the
country against war, Is worth five
spent after war has been declared.
The President is quoted as say
ing Congress has been liberal with
the army and navy with approprta-
tons, and draws a comparison as
to the amounts given before the
war. Why not compare the pres
ent-day appropriations with that OF
the days preceding the Spanish
American war. There is no COM
parison of what the army needs
today and what it needed before
the war.
We had no citizens military train
Ing camps or reserve officers train.
ing corps units or organized reserve
units before 1917. Today there are
really the greatest part Of the army.
There were no chemical warfare
services before the war.
The general public has never been
told that the work of the army in
peace times has more than repaid
its total cost Of existence since the
Revolutionary War by six times.
The country itselS was developed
by the army. officers of the services
have more than paid back into the
Treasury Of the United States the
sums expended for the upkeep of
the services. The work Of Walter
Reed-the work of Gorgas Leaven,
worth in the West-Myers, the de-
veioper of the telegraph lines-and
many other noted army leaders, is
but sample of the work done.
The Bering Sea patrol force Of
the coast guard headquarters and
the Algonquin and Haida, held
joint Coast Guard Anniversary Day
exercises this month at Unalaska.
Following an inspection in the
mroning Of the entire landing forces
from the Algonquin and the Haida
by the force commander and his
staff, the rest of the day was given
over to sports. The Haida was the
victor in the pulling boat race, and
the Algonquin in winning the sail
boat race.
Because Of retirements that were
not foreseen when the selection
board OF the navy convened In
July TO recommend line officers for
promotion, changes have occurred
in the dates upon which those
selected viii be- advanced. In the
promotion situation as it now
exists, the dates of promition Of
officers will be as follows:
To captain-Commanders Robert
Henderson, August 26; Joseph 0.
Fisher and William T. Conn, ;r.,
September 16; Carlos Bean, RIOS
ston, October 2; Frank C. Martin
and Stephen c. Rowan, November
Is; Walter s. Anderson, November
%; Henry d Cooke, November q;
Samuel NJ. Robinson and William
w. Smyth, December 1; RaIston S.
Holmes, January Is; and William
J. Giles. February 8:
To be commanders Lieutenant
Commanders Andrew D. Denney,
August 26, Charles NJ. Yates, Sep
TENDER 16; Stuart o. Greig, October
2; James C.. van de Carr, October
10; John c. Cunningham and J. s.
Lowell. November 16; John L.
Shafroth, jr., November %; Karl
r. Smith and Ernest w. Mckee,
November 81; Dallas C. Lazure.
December 1; Jules James, January
16; John F. McClain, February 0;
John r. BeardalI, March Is; Tim
othy j. Keleher. April 2; and How
ard N. McCleary on an undeter.
mined date as yet.
Some officers of the marine
corps especially in the junior
grades. are advancing project TO
extend to grades below that of
colonel, some sort of elimination
with view to getting rid OF the
so-called 'deadwood" personnel and
OF popping up promotions in the
corps.
Most OF the older officers of the
corps believe that ii would be
preferable TO wait until more ex-
perience is had with the operation
Of the law that became effective
this year. and that provides for
age in grade retirement for col.
onels not placed on the annually
prepared lists Of those considered
as timber for promotion to briga.
der general.
The commandment of the marine
corps has called attention to the
fact that the many shades of the
summer service uniforms, due to
fading, detract greatly from the
general appearance of organiza
tons in formation. This condition
has been overcome to a large ex
tent at the marine barracks al
Quantico, Va, and Paris Island
S. c., by the use Of a khaki dye
soap in the Iaundries at those posts
1t has been directed that command
ing officers Of posts having laun
dries institute a similar process o.
washing in order to keep the sum
mer service uniforms OF a more
uniform color.
The committee appointed to con
slider the aviation training for al
officers OF the army with less thar
fifteen years of active duty, and t.
study and prepare recommendation
for The extension of the air ser
vice courses at West Point, hell