Well, the Navy Department officials rebuked them, and made them take the walk over again in three days, on the ground that taking it in one day did not comply with the regulations! This seems unbelievable; but Leonard assures me it is true.
He did not inform me at the time, being afraid to "get in wrong" with his permanent superiors.

If I had known of the order, short work would have been made of the bureaucrat who issued it.[*] [*] One of our best naval officers sent me the following letter, after the above had appeared:-- "I note in your Autobiography now being published in the Outlook that you refer to the reasons which led you to establish a physical test for the Army, and to the action you took (your 100-mile ride) to prevent the test being abolished.

Doubtless you did not know the following facts: "1.

The first annual navy test of 50 miles in three days was subsequently reduced to 25 miles in two days in each quarter.
"2.

This was further reduced to 10 miles each month, which is the present 'test,' and there is danger lest even this utterly insufficient test be abolished.
"I enclose a copy of a recent letter to the Surgeon General which will show our present deplorable condition and the worse condition into which we are slipping back.
"The original test of 50 miles in three days did a very great deal of good.