Evening star., 1935-10-27
NEW NAVY A|RSH|P
ST|RS DISCUSSION
Non-Rigid G-1 Accepted
Pending Tests-Army
Legislation Drawn.

Pending Tests-Army
| Legislation Drawn.
The recent arrival at the Lakehurst
Naval Air Station of the new non-rigid
G-1 airship has revived the question
Of the future use by the Navy of large
dirigibles of the Akron and Macon
type, both Of which were lost at sea.
The Navy Department has tentatively
accepted the G-1 pending preliminary
tests and trials that will be conducted
within the next few weeks. The G-1,
built by the Goodyear Zeppelin Corp
of Akron. Ohio, and purchased at
cost of $75,8l2, is the fourth lighter
than-air ship now being operated by
the Navy.
Powered by two engines developing
a total horsepower Of 420. the G-1 Is
capable of maximum speed Of 56.5
knots and, cruising at 40 knots per
hour, can remain in the air "a hours.
When the Naval Subcommittee on
Appropriations sought to learn from
Rear Admiral Ernest j. King, chief
of the Bureau of Aeronautics, what
the Navy's future course should be,
now that both the large ships-Akron
and Macon-had been lost, Admiral
King explained that the policy of
the Navy Department as to lighter
than-air craft has not yet changed and
is not expected to be changed until
! ic ln6r oh
which may come from the findings of
fact and the opinion and recommen-
dations, if any, of the court of inquiry,
added to what I will call the views
and findings and recommendations of
the Durand committee" Up to the
present time the findings of the Du-
rand committee have not been made
public.
From data compiled over the years,
! the Bureau Of Navigation, Navy De-
/ partment is able to predict with accu-
racy what the losses in each rating will
be during any one year. Normally,
the promotion plan provides for filling
these losses, but the current year is
abnormal in that Congress authorized
the Navy to begin the year with 82,500
men and finish the year, June 80,
| 1886, with 93500. on which figure the
allowances are based, which is the
reason for the present apparent large
number of vacancies. Due to the fact
that the appropriation was based on
an average strength of $4,000 men. the
bureau is unable Immediately TO pro-
mote and recruit the Navy up to the
new authorized strength without
greatly exceeding the appropriation.
According to present plans, the
next Senior Selection Board to recon-
mend officers of the Marine Corps will
be convened at the Navy Department
December 2. The board will be di-
rected to recommend not more than
two officers for the grade of brigadier
general. The board also will be d.
rected to recommend from 8 to 10
officers for the grade of colonel, and
from 18 to 20 for lieutenant colonel. |
Army.
In view of the anticipated War De-
partment request for additional COM
miSsioned personnel to officer the in
crease in the enlisted strength of the
Regular Army, the various arms. serv-
ices and bureaus of the War Depart
ment are engaged in preparing recon-
mendations for legislation to be con-
Sidered by Congress in January. A
survey also is being made of all ac-
tivities under corps area, department
and exempted station commanders to
determine the number of medical and
dental officers necessary to meet cur
rent requirements.
Recruiting of the Regular Army
from 1880 to $4,000 men, an in
crease of 46,250 men, will require ad-
ditional officers, anc it is expected that
this addition in the commissioned
complement will be asked of the next
Congress. From July l. 1885. to Sep
tember 81, 1885, a little over 1900
men have been enlisted in the Army,
bringing the total enlisted str-ngth
to approximately $4,000 men. If the
present rate of enlistments is main
tanned, it is expected that by the end
of next April the full strength of
165, 900 men will be attained.
To provide for existing and prospec-
tive denominational vacancies, exam
nations of applicants for appoint
ment as chaplains in the grade of
first lieutenant in the Regular Army
will be held on January % and 29,
1886. The examination will be re-
stricted to clergymen duly accredited |
to the following denominations: Bap- |
tist South, Methodist Episcopal. Mis-
souri, Synod Lutheran and United |
Brethren.
An Examining Board will be con- |
vened at the Army Medical Center !
here shortly to examine officers of the |
Medical Corps to determine their fit
ness for promotion. The board will
be composed of Col. Raymond F. Met
calfe, Col. Joseph F. Siler and Col
Henry C. Coburn, jr., all medical OFF, |
GERS.
Chaplain Patrick ]. Ryan. who re-
Gently arrived in Washington from |
the Hawaiian Department. has sue
ceeded Chaplain John S. Kelly at the |
Army Medical Center. The latter |
sailed October 10 for his new station
in Hawaii.
the growth of the clubs. Reports were
given by the following officers and