The Washington Post from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 38

News of Army and Navy Precedence of Gen. Persjiing Ove Chief of Staff Approved by Officers--Congress Committees Against -General Staff Increase. Instruction of Signal Officers--Army Retirement Injustice. Opposition to'Crowder's Promotion--Naval Board to Recommend Promotions--Marine Corps Notes. A a result of discussions in executive sessions of the Senate and House military mittees, the new legislation Under which Gen Pershing was nominated and confirmed as "general of the armies of United States" contains a clause providing that "any provision of existing- law that would enable any other officer of the army to take rank and precedence over said officer is hereby repealed For some time there has been a.

sen- timent'in Congress that the existing law that gives the chief of staff rank and precedence over all other, of the army was a mistake It was enacted by Congrress without a. realization of what it meant and without fully ascertaining- to what extent, if any, it was necessary When the suggestion of recogmiz- ing the services of Gen Pershing flrst was broached at the Capitol, the military committee members took up the question of repealing the law that makes the chief of staff senior ui to other officers of the army It was considered that no better oppor- i would be afforded than tne bill relating to Gen Pershing Since the chief of staff does not command, and is not the "head of the army," as he so frequently is described, it is held at the Capitol that he requires no seniority over all other officers in order effectively to discharge the duties devolving upon It was considered also that unless the law in respect to rank and precedence of the chief of staff were repealed the reward to Ger Pershing would be imperfect and inadequate, for even if he were made a fleld marshal i such a change in the law he always would be ranked by the chief of staff, who might be in the a a i more than a brig idler general Congress and the General Staff. i hearings of War Depart- rrent official-, and others before the i a i i a committees in a i to proposed army legislation, i has become apparent that members of the committees will not recommend a i a i of 231 commissioned of the general staff as recommended by the "War Depart- an increase of 140 over the present war-time personnel and of 176 ovei the peace-time personnel A a also there is a deter- i a i in the committees to limit the i that may be discharged by the general staff and to permit the bureaus of the War Department to operate with less interference on the part of the general staff However, members arc in doubt as to how any resti ictions on the ad- i i a i work of the general staff an be enforced The a a of military legisla- i a a i get through i ongress depends to some extent upon the recommendations made by CJen. i i he appears before the i i i a i yet has come from Pershmg as to -what extent he i a the War Department reorganization bill and what changes he i suggest therein, if any Naturally his appearance before the i is awaited with interest, both by members of Congress and officers of the army A matter of controversy in rpgard to the bill relates to promo- tion by election. So far the testimony is about equally divided for and against that system in place of the present system of promotion by seniority.

Discussions before the committees have revealed alleged defects in the system of filling vacancies in tae staff by details of line officers, audit is possible that Congress will provide for to a. permanent personnel for the staff, at 1-east in the senior grades, the junior positions to be filled by detailed officers to try out those that become -eligible for permanent appointment as staff officers It is considered by advocates of this arrangement that the has demonstrated the unwisdom of the detail system. Instruction of Signal Officers. With resumption of conditions that are more or less noYmal, the signal corps authorities have taken up the subject of training officers In the highly technical duties of the corps Besides the signal school at Port Leavenworth, Kans for advanced instruction of officers, there is a school at Camp Alfred Vail. 3 which is primarily for enlisted men, but at which primary instruction will be given young officers Arrangements have been made also to send six of the older officers of the corps to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and six to the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University for a post-graduate course of technical instruction along signal corps lines for one school term Lieut Cols Stephen Walmsley, Charles Sawyer, Charles Miniken and Raymond McQulllin have been selected to attend the Sheffield Scientific School, and other selections will be made later About 35 young: officers of cavalry, fleld artillery coast artillery and infantry recently were detailed to fill vacancies In the grade of flrst lieutenant in the bignal corps, and they will be put through a preliminary course of instruction and training in signal corps duties For this pose six of them will be assigned to the First signal battalion now at Coblenz, Germany, two to the Philippine department two to the Hawaiian department, fifteen to Camp Alfred Vail to attend school and the remainder to signal battalions in this country See Army Retirement Officers of the regular army feel that they are discriminated, against in favor of the navy and marine corps in the matter of retirement of officers that have become incapacitated for further active duty on account of wounds or other disabilities Incurred in line of duty Recently the judge advocate general of the army rendered a decision, which was approved by the Secretary.

of War, to the effect that officers of the army who have become disabled "is he not suffer demotion to the lower ta the permanent establishment -when he goes on the retired list. Unless something is done to alleviate this against officers of the regular army, doubtlessly many bills will be introduced in Congress in the interest of individuals, as -was the caae following- the civil and Spanish-American ware, Motor Transport Place. Difference of opinion exists among the military authorities as to the place in the new army organization to be occupied by the motor transport corps. Lately that corps was established as a separate and independent bureau of the War department, its connection with the office of the director of purchase, storage and traffic having been terminated and its relations -with the general staff being the same as those of other operating bureaus. During" hearings on the army bill before the Senate military committee lately it has developed that some experts believe that the corps should be made a part of the transportation corps instead of being separated therefrom, as is proposed in the army bill Such is the view expressed by Maj.

Gen T. Hines, director of the transportation corps, and Brig Gen. Atterbury, vice president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who was in charge of rail transportation of the American expeditionary force in France, entertains practically the same opinion, although making the distinction that in time of war it might be well to have a separation, placing the motor transport corps under the control of the commanding general as a part of the combat forces Sentiment in the military committee is somewhat in favor of merging the motor transport corps into the transportation corps, largely on the theory that there should be a consolidation of similar or allied activities However, the claim that the motor transport corps is a mobile agency distinct from rail and water transportation and an essential part of the paraphernalia of the fighting personnel may result in a change of this view Crowder's Promotion Opposed. Opposition has manifested itself in the House and Senate to the bills introduced by Senator Knox and Representative Madden authorizing the President, when Maj Gen Enoch Crowder, judge advocate general of the army, retires, to place him on the retired list with the rank of lieutenant general This honor is sought according; to the wording of the bill "in view of the long; and faithful services" of the officer, "and especially his conspicuous services as provost marshal general Gen. Crowder will during the war shall be retired with their regular army rank instead of with the higher rank temporarily held by them during the war In the navy and marine corps when an officer temporarily holding higher is found to have become Incapacitated while in the, higrher rank, whether it is" result of wounds received In action or not, he is placed on the retired list with that rank, and Speaking ot Fall Housecleaning --do you- realize that it is about time to have us give our attention to your Lace Curtains, Draperies, flWe have highly trained experts and special facilities for cleaning these articles, as well as Blankets, Couch Covers and other Household Goods.

flAnd what about your heavy clothes Better let one of our autos call for them NOW! 8 Branches i Phones. Call the one in TOtTR neighborhood. the retiring age in April, 1923, but he may be retired before that, on a application, after more than 40 years' service The proposal at the last session of Congress that Gen. Crowder be made a lieutenant general on the active list met with such resistance that the plan was abandoned. Although the later proposal may not incur so much opposition, it is understood that the reasons advanced against the former proposition will be brought against the later one, the principal one being that the officer saw no military service in the field, and that his achievements were In no way comparable with the duties of officers in the sone of operations in France.

More Veterinarians Needed. More than 15 per cent of the permanent officers of the veterinary corps have resigned since January of this year. The total authorized number of officers of this corps under the national defense act of 1916 is 118, and the loss of these officers at this time is serious The men that resigned all held the permanent rank of aeoond lieutenant and temporary commissions as majors, captains and flrst lieutenants It is estimated that, pending army reorganisation and to meet temporary conditions up to June 1 SO, 1920, there will be need for a minimum of 860 veterinarians. Public animals are perishable property, and adequate veterinary attention is necessary from an economic standpoint Qualified veterinarians are in great demand in civil life, and the remuneration is larger tha'n offered by the army under the present schedule of pay Under the present law, a veterinarian, entering the army with the rank of second lieutenant cannot reach the rank of captain until he has fifteen years and the rank of major until 80 years' service, with no further advancement thereafter. UNITED STATES NAVY 1 Hoffman Co.

1 A. Expert Cleaners and Dyers Main Office 735 13th St. N.W. Phone Main 10OS8 iNCV Announcement has been made that the board of rear admirals to select line officers of the navy and naval re- Serve for promotion to the grades of captain and commander will convene at the Navy Department about October 6 It is understood that the detail for the board will not be determined until after return of Secretary Daniels to Washington about September 85 selections will be made to fill vacancies now existing in the two grades and those that it is estimated occur up to December 31 next Officers to fill suoh vacancies In the grade of rear admiral were selected by the board that met tn July. Although offioers of the dental Corps of the navy are not promoted in rank above that of lieutenant commander, a limited number of them are iced to receive the pay of captain and commander, 'Heretofore it had been supposed that the vacancies in these ranks for pay purposes only would be filled nn accordance with seniority.

However, the judge advocate general of the navy recently rendered a decision to the effect that the system of selection may be applied to determination of whajt dental officers shall receive the pay of captain and commander Accordingly the next board convened to select officers of the regular medical corps for promotion will be directed alftd to select dental ot- flcerv far pay promotions. Thereafter the selections will be made by dental effioers. Navy Department Investigation. Preliminary sessions have been held of the aommlttee on Navy Department expenditures in preparation for an investigation it is proposed to make into the conduct of that department during the war, and Acting Secretary Roosevelt and Rear Samuel ana Charles of n's Great Annual September Sale of Used and Plaer STARTS MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 8th This sale includes ajl the used Pianos and PlayerPlanos accumulated during the in exchange from leading homes on Chickering, Ampico and other high grade makes. i i These Pianos Must Be Disposed of at Once to Make Room for Our Vast Holiday Stock This sale represents a in our case, for we must have room.

It represents to you the greatest opportunity you will have for many a day to secure a good used Piano or Player-Piano at a "sure enough" bargain price. The Prospects Are That The Shortage of and Instruments This. Season. It will pay you to secure of ifcese instruments You not only make a tremendous saving in price, but you are assured of getting a piano, while if you 4 put off you may be disappointed. EASY TERMS $90 USED UPRIGHT arc only a few of our whole stock, we Behing and Dfen! Upright Ebony Case, used James Hobfaran Upright Ebony Case, used 4.

E. Davit Player-Piano SfcVnote; used Kelso Upright Piano Used Bach Co. Player-Piano 8-note; used- the wed that await you. are sure to have what you want. Gabler Upright Co.

Ebony, good practice Whttlock Pianola Player Mahogany Case, 88-note; nsed. Kurtzmtnn Upright Piano Mahogany Case; fine tone Cable NeboB Upright Piano good mew; apartment size. Hallet Davis Upright Piano Ebony used Come and look WSSJM $90 $120 $375 $198 Schnltz Player-Piano 38-note; used Foster Co. Upright Piano Mahogany; used Haynes Player-Piano 88-note; used $265 $95 $410 i 7 "-T $295 USB9 VLAYER Livingston Upright Piano Mahogany Case; used Regent Upright Piano Mahogany Case; like new Cable Nelson Upright Piano Oak big bargain Franklin Upright Piano Mahogany Case; fine Piano fc 1 It fc245 $225 $375 USED PLAYER MUSIC ROLLS 29c $69 USED UPRIGHT PRACTICE PIANO, USED, $95 BILLING CO. Upright Piano, Used, $69 BRADBURY Upright Piano, Used, $95 CABLE-NELSON Player-Piano, 88-Note, Used, $495 $120 USED UPRIGHT C.E.

BYRNE Upright Piano, Mahogany, Used, $225 MELVILLE CLARK Apollo Player, Walnut, Used, $395 BAILEY Upright Piano, Mahogany, Used, $215 PEASE Upright Piano, Ebony, Used, $89 $325 USED PLAYER Arthur Jordan Piano Co. VICTROLAS Arthur Jordan President 13th Sis. N.W. Home of the Cflicker ing Piano Homer L. Kitt, Sec.

and Treas. RECOKDSJ the bureau of supplies and accounts, were before the committee. It is not expected that anything of grave character be turned up a result of the Investigation, and it is predicted that it will proceed along the more or less haphazard lines that have characterised the investigation of the War Department by a similar House annual report of the paymaster general of the navy for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1917, and that for the following- fiscal year, covering periods of the war, been placed before the committee. In the presence of these ana other formidable that will be forthcoming it is ed that the cowimittee will be dismayed, and it will take expert ants to discover any hidden indications of abuses, it any are present.

If there have been extravagances under the Navy Department, it will be next to impossible for the average congressional committee to discover them from the statistics. Increase in Recruits. Recruiting for the navy is in a satisfactory condition compared to what it has been the last few months. Last week the highest point was reached when men were obtained for the navy by the recruiting service not counting enlistments at navy yards and aboard ships On September 3, the total enlisted strength of the navy was lit," Oil men, including 141,469 of the regular navy and 34,542 of the reserve force Demobilization is going on rapidly, and the lack of men for ships hS reached much a critical stage that some ships have only two or three officers ana a handful men. it is neoeeaarjr to keep vewiels In a semblance Of commission, because of the lack of dock tag arid berthtag space to place them entirely out Ot As it is now, many smaller vessels, particularly destroyers, have not enough men on beard to a under way In of emergency.

Naval Reserve Force Needs. Consideration has been given to a plan to enlist the cooperation of the leading colleges of the country la Supplying material for a naval reserve force among their student personnel by the adoption of special courses of study and a drill at the vacation period, but nothibg tangible has been done with the proposition, It Is that the time IB naw Loo short to accomplish much durlftg the coming college term. It is probable that some additional oo subject shortly will mode by the bureau of navigation, which will seek to provide a steady Inflow of young men to the naVal reserve force to take the places of those that drop out or' become too old tot active duty. -S hs given in princi- ple to the plan by AssUtant Secretary Roosevelt, but Secretary Daniels has shown no inclination to approve, and. tn fact, some months ago expressed himself in opposition to the plan.

Coast Guard Vacancies. Now that the vacancy la the position of commandant of the coast guard has been ailed by nomination ot Senior Capt. B. Reynolds for the position, that being one or the last official acts ot the President before he left Washington, taere remains to be filled the existing vaoan- oy in the position of engineer-to-ohtel of the coast guard. Capt Reynolds will be ordered to Washington Immediately from his station in the Twelfth naval district on the Pacific coast.

The vacancy ia the position ot engiaeer-inrchief has existed the retirement ot Capt. Charles A. McAllister several weeks ago. Several officers have been mentioned his successor, and most frequently Captain of Engineers Qulnoy B. Newman, on duty at ooast guard headquarters, where he served as assistant to Capt McAllWUr.

KaBXKB COKP8 NOTES, i Brig. Oen, W. Catiin, who recently was examined by a retiring board and recommended tor transfer to retired list, with his present aeoeunt ot physical disability resulting from wounds received 7 in action in France, still is awaiting ae- tl6n on ease at the hands of the Secretary ot the Navy ana the President. Pending action en oaee, Oen, Gatiln been absent IB country from station in command of marines in Haiti, it he placed on the retired list, it expected he will be, it will be to designate another general officer of tor the Haitian command. Other general of the me- A Home Kt Sfcift tttntoufc saxoltte lotion nty tnendM by beaut moving distended more solid.

feeu refreshed hnarated After thfs tr derrui preparation" look five er ten years using only a rine corps awaiting assignment to and duties are Brig (Jens. Kit K. Cole. Wendell C. Neville, Logan land and Smedley D.

Butler, but it understood that these assignments will not be made until after return of Secretary Daniels to Washington about September IS. Col. Theodore P. Kane, who has been on duty at marine barracks, Philadelphia, has been assumed to oommand those barraoks. Col.

Harry who commanded the Sixth regiment of recently returned from France, has assigned to oommand the Jflrst regiment at Philadelphia, relieving Col. 3. Hill, who has been detailed to recruiting- duty at New OrUans. IT)rat liieut. O.

L. Pyle and Beoond Lieut. James Oallivan have been directed to report before a board at marine barracks, Quaatioo, for examination for retirement. INTERVENTION NEAR, MEXICAN'S WARNING Country Needs Reforms Quickly, Alvarado Tells Leaders. that intervention hy the United is imminent, Oear Salvador AlvaraAo, one ot the in the Carranca movement throughout course, has addressed an open letter to and dens.

Obregen and arraigning conditions in Mexico 1A scathing fashion. Alvarado, who attracted attention for his administration in Tueatan, that the present daily death list in the scattered fighting between federal and 100 a day. The full test of Alvarado's oom- raunloation the BUte Department, where officials regard it as a sign that members of Inner circle reatiie danger. Alvaradd- urges Carraasa, Obregon and to drop personal politics unite with the revolutionary element to solve national He upoa carrensa, the flrst chief of the revolution, to lead the movement and upon Obregoa Oonsaies to resign their candidacies for the presidency and support iu He pre- President wilt peiioy ot "watchful tf every protest from the United answered by ot new Toward the of letter Oen. Alvarado says: "There no time to tn Mtafjeineat of our The European war is ended; the three powerful of the lobe are our If we shew Incapable of ttomplylng with 11 take over the task of they wiu take over the talk of guard ing and protecting these and ln WOULD DEFER DEDICATION.

Correspondent Points Out Cmrtn house Nears lOOfh Milestone. Editor The Post: I see by your valued paper of September 4, an Item regarding the dedication of the new courthouse in the near future. Why not wait until 1)90. and have a centennial 1 The corner-stone of this beautiful old structure was laid with Impressive ceremony, August 22, 1820, when the population was 14,000. and the annual revenue, George Hadfleld was the architect.

and Henry Smith the Law WAS the orator evn4 -i crossed over ground on my way to a Map Of "new Ho awe ot drawn by Dr. Barllngttm, Pennsylvania, as as a for These with others," are tn a bos ot roiled IB liftea. Mated with beeswax and thae preserved, as precious At trial time was President, and preper valued at In ton, IX C. XUtttA Afeftii 1358 Newton street It Makes a Mother Proud to see her boy in stylish looking clothes and it gives the boy a feeling of self- among his comrades. Why accept just ordinary when you can gat the kind that wffl giro your boy a appearance? And can rot style wtth tTratrtor i which doobfo the wvxar of ofdimiy suits.

DB- they (fcrable thidtnMM at and be- fee reinforced by jtetant surprise to their son. Lieut. Joseph Thompson, Ir U. S. Just returned from overseas Among the other gueetg GRAFTON SCHOOL OF CHEVY CHASE For Children 3 to 15 Years of Age.

Opens September 22. Kindergarten em6 il tari All Branches of Study. Music. French and Hythmic Dancing. Limited Number.

MRS. W. HADJBEH. 1 0 IT Grotton CJMrvy Cfcmc. Md.

StK PARIS Jive, at St YORK 1510 St. N. W. Opposite ShoreJiam Hotel We have decided for the benefit of our employee to close Saturdays throughout the year at P. with the exception of July and August, when we wiH be closed all day on Saturdays In accordance with the ouS- tom that we Inaugurated here several years ago.

Other days business hours will be from A. M. to P. M. We Are Showing Many Lovely "and Unusual FALL AND WINTER FASHIONS For "Women, Misses and Children which are sufficiently comprehensive to meet the variecj requirements of muring, afternoon and evening.

Every source producing and wiginal modes been patronised to make our showing of more than ordinary interest and exclusiveness. TAILORED SUITS For Street, Travel and Dress Wear STREET AFTERNOON, DINNER AND EVENING DRESSES, COATS AND WRAPS For Street, Motoring, Afternoon and Evening MILLINERY WAISTS HABITS UNDERWEAR NEGLIGEES ACCESSORIES OUR SALE; OF FURS Will Continue Throughout September As many of our patrons who were out of town during the summer were desirous of making selections of furs for the coming season while the prices were so greatly reduced, it is for their benefit that we extend this sale to aUow them the privilege of the extraordinary savings. FUR COATS, SETS AND SEPARATE PIECES In Advance Styles That Are will be stored if desired until November 1st without charge. GamondCa 42-4 Wonderful Values in Grade FALL SUITS Tricotines, serges and velours, as well as many novelty cloths. Real tailored suite.

All leading styles. Plenty of navy and black, well as oxford cloth. Well-selected styles at very moderate price. Sale of High Grade Georgette Blouses Several good including flesh and white. Worth up to I5T.OO.

.95 GAMOND CO. 402-404 Seventh St. Door to It Harm 7th aad D. Sale of DreMei SILK JERSEY About 100 dresses very specially priced. All colors and kites.

$16.95 19 ei) JENNY-DOUCET AND BUUOZ ARC FEATURING IT IN THIlR FALL OPENINGS NOW BEING HCUD fJRSTFALL SELECTIONS.