Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 41 Part 1.djvu/789

 of first lieutenant; head nurses and nurses, the relative rank of second lieutenant; and as regards medical and sanitary matters and all other work within the line of their professional duties shall have authority in and about military hospitals next after the officers of the Medical Department. The Secretary of War shall make the necessary regulations prescribing the rights and privileges conferred by such relative rank.

. That section 11 of said Act be, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out the same and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

".—The Corps of Engineers shall consist of one Chief of Engineers with the rank of major general, one assistant with the rank of brigadier general, six hundred officers in grades from colonel to second lieutenant, inclusive, and twelve thousand enlisted men, such part of whom as the President may direct being formed into tactical units organized as he may prescribe."

. That section 12 of said Act be, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out the same, and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

".—The Ordnance Department shall consist of one Chief of Ordnance with the rank of major general, two assistants with the rank of brigadier general, three hundred and fifty officers in grades from colonel to second lieutenant, inclusive, and four thousand five hundred enlisted men.

".—There is hereby created a Chemical Warfare Service. The Chemical Warfare Service shall consist of one Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service with the rank of brigadier general, one hundred officers in grades from colonel to second lieutenant, inclusive, and one thousand two hundred enlisted men. The Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service under the authority of the Secretary of War shall be charged with the investigation, development, manufacture, or procurement and supply to the Army of all smoke and incendiary materials, all toxic gases, and all gas defense appliances; the research, design, and experimentation connected with chemical warfare and its material; and chemical projectile filling plants and proving grounds; the supervision of the training of the Army in chemical warfare, both offensive and defensive, including the necessary schools of instruction; the organization, equipment, training and operation of special gas troops, and such other duties as the President may from time to time prescribe."

. That section 13 of said Act be, and the same is hereby, amended by striking out the same, and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

"—The Signal Corps shall consist of one Chief Signal Officer with the rank of major general, three hundred officers in grades from colonel to second lieutenant, inclusive, and five thousand enlisted men, such part of whom as the President may direct being formed into tactical units organized as he may prescribe.

". 13a. .—There is hereby created an Air Service. The Air Service shall consist of one Chief of the Air Service with the rank of major general, one assistant with the rank of brigadier general, one thousand five hundred and fourteen officers in grades from colonel to second lieutenant, inclusive, and sixteen thousand enlisted men, including not to exceed two thousand five hundred flying cadets, such part of whom as the President may direct being formed into tactical units as he may prescribe: Provided, That not to exceed 10 per centum of the officers in each grade below that of brigadier general who fail to qualify as aircraft pilots or as observers within one year after the date of detail or assignment shall be permitted to remain detailed or assigned to the Air Service.