Evening star., 1926-02-21


been given instruction at Edgewood.
The three National Guard officers
who have been detailed to take this
instruction are Majs. Roy r. Know,
ordnance department. Oregon National
Guard; Alfred de Roulet, NJ. d., 131st
Infantry, Illinois National Guard. and
Charles E. Pell. machine gun officer.
172nd Infantry, Vermont National
Guard. The Regular Army officers
who have been detailed to take the
course are Majs. Haig Shekerjian,
Chemical Warfare Service: Keith F.
Adamson, ordnance department. Capts.
March Fl. Houser and Geoffrey Mar
shall. both chemical warfare officers.
and Charles Z. Loucks and Carl l..
Marriott, both Of whom are coast artil
lery officers detailed to the Chemical
Warfare Service; First Lieuts. VIII
liam II. Webb, Coast Artillery Corps;
Charles H. Espy. Cavalry; and Second
Lieuts. ]. f. EARLY. Air Service. and
Lew Nj. Morton. Coast Artillery Corps.
First Lieut.. Clifford Prichard repre-
sents the Marine Corps. At least two
field artillery officers from Fort Hoyle,
Nd. will be detailed to attend the
course: one or two officers from the
Navy, it is expected, will be ordered
to Edgewood, and probably represent
atives from some Of the other Army
branches will be ordered to Edgewood
for this instruction.
Though there continues to be dis
cuSsion OF a revision OF the retirement
laws relating to members Of the mill
tary and naval personnel this subject
has come up more regularly and per-
sistently during the past year. A num-
Der Of members from the Legislative
branch Of the Government have been
collecting statistics on the compost
ton OF the retired lists. including the
cause Of transfer from the active list
and the age OF officers upon retire
ment. Both War and Navy Depart
mentS have received recent inquiries
tired for other than age, which indi-
Gates that there is, perhaps. an inten-
ton to draft legislation that shall abol-
ish retirement for age.
This means. OF course. that officers
would be retained in active service
indefinitely. to be retired for physical
disability. Should such provision be
enacted into law. 1t is pointed out. it
would not only create block in pro-
motion, but no corresponding benefit
would be derived through continuing
officers on active duty until physically
incapacitated regardless Of age. Tn
there would be abandonment OF the
system OF retiring for service. AS
both military and naval authorities
view this proposition with disfavor. it
is not expected that any action on this
provision, at least during the present
Congress. will be taken.
Considerable interest was attached
this week to the list Of Army officers
cd for OF Inf,
this 1926 list consisting OF 10 officers.
their assignment to general staff duty
marks the return OF II Of them to this
duty after a twOyear separation
from Il similar assignment.
A certain amount OF criticism has
been heard in certain quarters as TO
why so few officers were selected for
this duty this year. who have not
had previous general staff duty. 1t
must be remembered in this connec-
ton, however. that this is in strict OBJ
servance of existing law. which pre-
sCribes the return Of officers 10 the
general staff These II officers it ia
said. not only made splendid record
during their previous general staff
tour. but also at the respective sta
tions where they have been stationed
during the past two years. which fact
is probably responsible for the second
general staff assignment upon the
expiration OF the required two-year
period OF absence.
The opinion is held by some that
more rotation and a greater distribu-
ton Of the duties should be exercised
in selecting officers for general staff
assignments. Only through this
method. it is contended. will Regular
Army officers be able to acquire prac-
tical knowledge Of the functions and
operations Of the general staff.
Under the provisions of Army regu-
lations 605-5. "A final examination Of
applicants for appointment as second
lieutenants in the Regular Army. will
be held in the United States. the Phil
ippines. Hawaii, and Panama Canal
Departments. and with the United
States forces in China, from June 81
to &c, inclusive. The examination will
be held with a view to filing such
vacancies accruing to June 80. 1926.
as shall remain in the combatant
branches Gnfantry. Field Artillery,
Cavalry. Coast Artillery Air Service,
Corps OF Engineers and Signal Corps).
after the commissioning of the 1926
class at the United States Military
Academy. 1t is estimated that ap-
proXimately $50 vacancies will be
available. The examination will not
be open to candidates for appointment
in the Philippine Scouts. Determina-
ton will be made by the War Depart
ment at later date as to the num-
Der of successful candidates to be as
signed to the seven combatant
branches. This is an excellent oppor-
tunity afforded to young men desiring
to adopt the Regular Army for a
career. Information relative to the
scope and details OF the approaching
examination is contained in Army
regulations $685., copies Of which may
be obtained at any military post or
station. or the adjutant general 3
office, Washington, D. G..
There will be issued by the War De
partment in the near future. general
order, prescribing, according to
branches. the reallottment Of non-com-
missioned officers Of the Army in ac-
cordance with the reduced strength of
that group of the military personnel
made necessary by the lack OF appro.
priations. After the schedule is re.
vised by the general staff. it will be
submitted to the various War Depart
ment branches affected. and from the
present outlook it is expected that the
order will become effective about April
Il. 1926.
No demotions will be involved in the
revised schedule, it is said. the lack
Of sufficient funds being met by grad
ual readjustment. Estimates indicate
that the authorized strength in non,
commissioned officers, first class pri.
Yates, and specialists will have to be
reduced by approximately 1,471 non.
commissioned officers. l ,496 privates
first class. and 1 $3.50 specialists. This
decrease. in non-commissioned officers
will be accompanied by an increase in
privates by approximately 1857. No
non commissioned officers, privates
first class, or specialists, it is stated
ho i.,