New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-21
CERTAIN ABUSES IN THE NAVY.
ACTION BY TIE PAyMAsTER-GTNERAL TO PUT An
End TO THEM

ACTION BY TIE pAYMASTFR-GENERAL IL ~ nv
END TO THEM.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The Paymaster-
General Of he Navy in his annual report for the fiscal
wear ended June So 1888 called attention TO certain
a.cs which have grown up un0er the system OF COM
imitation and surrender of ratons lie ststed 'ha'
In recent years the communication OF rauOns as u mas
been pfaot!scd in the Navy has increased 10 sue ue
gree that during the past fiscal year the Vaue OIL inc
com,nucd raos amounted TO nearly three hths oi the
s,,o apuFoprated for provisions. Such unlimited colp
mutation c said rosus in the deterioration aud hnai
provisions procured by the Department
in pursuance Of law, u military necessity"
Bv Department circular OF May l6, 1881. pay officers
IN the Navy were authorized to purchase provisions OF
the regular Navy ration issued to enlisted men OF the
Navy and marines paying therefor the average cost
ee and the men were allowed 10 surrender such pro-
visions rs they chose excepting fresh bread, beef ana
vegetable subject to the approval OF the conhiih"
ing officer ON This subject the PayinasueI-
General in his report says: 1.-THE system now In lnac-
tee which provides for the purchase of provisions nom
enlisted men by disbursug officers Of the Government Is
one which involves complication in provision accounts
and occasions much loss in provisions which are furnished
at The expense tho Government The provisions are SUP
posed to b drawn Tation from the Government WIN
ont co.. the ana aerw0rd sodt TO the Government
bv the enlisted mcn who surrender them practically these
provision. are drawn pass to TIE possession OF
tho men, aud the vouchers which they are paid iorre
fictitious tbs system has foundation il law; like the
excessive communication Of raons, II results IN vast" or
good prov Sons provided al Government cNit's, az ~
present. the additional objection Of irregular ana hcu-
iious vouchers which condemned by statute law.
Every article in the Navy ration has
been introduced upon the advice of comptlenI
sci,atin, experts. The Navy ration - nov hkel
by Law. is III quantity AND variety EIe s E
end ia KIND ami quality better than the f0o received ny
the same class Of Misunderstanding Gen or m ~ REQUIRING
Tho tc.. physical deNelOpwant-n any otter crpaIl-
mont of industry When well cooked the IeHlf fatInIi
OF Tho navy III, every rcQuirem"ni r al' hi'e al
discretion o. enlisted men this proper and abd4daIt sup
MY az food las r, recommended by experts ana WIN ~
efficacy f,,ed by expert nee would be almost entirely
snlrceded y such slumeaton OF sweets, such i's
pies cakes etc. Gs would Iotaly Onh' inc h'h' "i NV
work asni -ucd 10 them;
TO remedy THESE abuses circulars have been addresse
20 nay officers II tlc Navy by the Haynast '3eht ran
one OF these circulars limits the amont OF raoS tha
NAV be conmucd. restoring The provisions FOR Inc a9M
nnco of thr same contained IN Navy Re ulau0hs lIo
Tie Cfger rev thc circular OF May 10 1851 WHICH
authorized purchase OF provisions ~ pay onccIs
from culsf ri mSn aud marines OF the Navy.