The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-24

| Lieutenant Commander Paul H.
! Bastedo to commander; Lieutenant
Richard. w. Bates to lieutenant COM
n1ander and Lieutenant Gunior
grade) Hugh e. Padley, to lieuten-
ant.
Inasmuch as no orders have been
issued re-assigning Major General
Joseph E. Kuhn, recently promoted
from the grade of major general,
since he accepted the new rank,
many officers of the service believe
that General Kuhn is going to ask
for retirement He is still on duty
at Vancouver Barracks, pending
orders assigning him to other duty.
IF he should ask for retirement, and
1t is granted, this will open the way
for additional promotions.
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond M.
Cheseldine, adjutant of the 9th
Ohio national guard division, has
been assigned to duty in the militia
bureau here in Washington, for
period Of three years. He Will I'LL
the vacancy caused by the promo
ton Of Major General c. c. Ham
mond to chief Of the bureau.
It has been learned that Major A.
e. Rudd, United States Army, re-
tired for the past five years chief
Of the recruiting publicity bureau
for the. army and editor offthe Re-
cruiting News, has been relieved of
active duty in order that he might
accept a business offer. He is also,
commissioned in the specialist re-
serve OF the army, with the rank
Of colonel
Major Rudd has probably done
more for the army and has written
more favorable articles for the daily
newspapers for the service, than
any other officer. Among his
numerous publications the most
widely read and quoted in the press
are: Histories of Army Posts and
the United States Army Almanac.
The army INFORMATION service,
which was developed by Major
Rudd, supplies news stories, features
and photographs to~lafge syndicates
with nationwide circulation.
Major Rudd has turned the pub
licity bureau over to Captain Will
liam F. Harrell, Of the regular
/ army.
What is regarded as an important
2 development in naval aviation is
seen in the awarding Of a contract
for three planes to a company on
the west coast for $299,500. 1t is
stated at the Navy Department, If
the service tests sustain the claims
Of the producers OF this machine,
| that they will greatly strengthen
the air force with the fleet.
The new planes are built for
scouting, bombing and torpedo
dropping. They have two 400-horse-
power air-cooled engines. The ships
| are to be known as It'd and are
convertible for use either as land
| planes or seaplanes. The T2-D
plane is a biplane with both engines
mounted on the lower wing as
tractors. They will carry a crew
Of three, and will be provided with
radio compartment.
By combining the functions of
long distance scouting, bombing and
t1Ppedo dropping with one plane,
the problem Of operations and up
keep are simplified as well as to
give greater flexibility to squadrons.
The funds of the War Depart
| ment for necessary expenses have
| reached such a low ebb that orders
have been sent to the various
corps area commanders ITO cut
down on their issue of gasoline
and lubricants for operation Of
motor vehicles at camps and other
stations. This, Of course, will have
to be done, but the handicap will
be severe one.
The Ordnance Department has
manufactured six experimental
cleaning rods for the new caliber
% rifle. These have been shipped
to the infantry board for a service
test.
The infantry board has recently
conducted a preliminary test OF
the new Thompson and Garand
automatic rifles, both of which
offer possibilities for the develop.
ment of an excellent weapon. Until
certain improvements are made in
each, and the tactical possibilities
are determined by field firing with
service ammunition, the War De.
partment considers it is too pre-.
mature at this time to make state.
ments as to their future usefulness.