The Washington critic., 1890-02-09
ARMY AND NAVY GOSSIP.

There has been no change in the Navy
which will create so much interest in the
service and in Congress as the announce
ment that the line and stat have come to
an understanding. 1t is likely that this
very desirable condition Of affairs will tran
spire shortly. The recent court of inquiry
incident on the Chandler resolution re-
garding lobbying organizations in the Navy,
developed a disposition TO cease the pur-
poseless hostlities between officers OF the
line and those of the staff. 1t is understood
that the matter is being discussed by proml
nent officers at the Department, and that
unless some unforeseen element of disturb
ance arises, the harmonious alliance will
be realized. This fight within the service,
of many years DURATION has frustrated all
attempts made to improve the condition OF
the naval officer. IL has been used In Con-
gress as an evidence that naval officers
could not agree among themselves, and
all legislation proposed for increasing pay,
acceleratiDg promotion and otherwise MAX
ing the life and lot of n naval officer more
bearable, has each session died in commit
tee room wrangles.
am told there is rupture between the
Corps of Engineers of the Army and the U.
s. Geological Survey, If GOODNESS between
their respective heads may be construed
into such sad state of affairs. One day
this week Major Powell of the Geological
Survey directed one of his assistants to
copy portion of map on file In the office
of the Chief OF Engineers, and gave him q
letter of introduction, which also served as
request for permission to obtain the in
formation required, to General Casey.
tl,., 4
room at the War Department, armed with
the necessary draughting instruments, he
was greeted with the brusqueness of manner
under which General Casey hides really
kindly intent. The General demanded, on
learning the nature of the errand, who
| Major Powell was, and followed up the fur
nished explanation with startling inquiry
as to the purpose of the Geological Survey.
The General didn't seem inclined to take
the envoy's word regarding the existence Of
| the bureau or its chief, and / fancy that
when the latter learned of General Casey's
proclaimed ignorance the vocabulary away
back TO the Azoic age was tested to the ex-
tent OF its expression.
The Surgeon General will ask Congress
for deficiency appropriation of at least
$4,000. This amount is required for the
five-year communication for the loss of the
use of limb in the military or naval serv-
ice and represents the uncalled-for com
mutation of 5000 benefciaries. 1t is esti-
mated that not more than half of this
number are alive, and perhaps some
of the remainder are not entitled to the
full communication of $75. The Surgeon
General has determined to seek the bene-
ficiaries who are entitled to this commute
ton, and with this end in view the United
States pension agents have been asked to
render assistance. There are great many
claimants credited to Washington, the ma
jority, however, belonging to the larger
centres of Philadelphia, New York
and Boston. A gratifying feature
of the consideration of these claims is that
pension attorneys have been declared a
useless quantity by the Surgeon-General,
and the fight which has been going on for
some months between these pension firms
and the Surgeon-G General has resulted in q
victory for the latter, consequent saving
to the pensioners of about $1,000 month.
Another delay is to be experienced in the
Texas, now being constructed at Norfolk.
The steel outside plates for the vessel were
last week tested by the acid process, and
nearly thirty per cent. were found de-
fective. These plates will be sent back
to the contractors, Parke Brothers of
Pittsburg, and will mean at least loss of
$1,000 to that firm. The Board of Bureau
Chiefs at the Navy Department is still
considering the plans OF the Texas, and
draughtsmen are engaged on the prepara.
tion of plans showing the proposed changes
in the armament
The board of officers detailed to examine
the Volunteer offered to the Navy by
Dougherty & Co., of Baltimore for S33, 900
has decided to accept the tug. The con
struction of the two remaining tugs re
quired WIN be awarded to Neaie < Levy o
Philadelphia, and the Atlantic Works o.
East Boston.
Despite the opposition to Commander
Folger's nomination as chief of the Bureau
of Ordnance, it is learned that the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs will report
favorably next week. Commander Folgel
is acting commandant of the Washington
Navy-Yard during the serious illness OF
Captain r. w. Meade.
1t really looks as if the examination OF
candidates for appointment as Assistant
Naval Constructor IN the Navy would END
this week. Mr.. Hart has completed his
examination. Engineer Redgrave. who
has again been i'll, will have finished in
, few days.
Lieutenant Il. NJ. G. Brown Of the Navy
was the guest last evening of the Seawan
haka Corinthian Yacht Club of New Yorl
, and lectured on the Samoan disaster
Lieutenant Brown gave the order to the
men of the Trenton to fill the rigging
which maneuver resulted in saving 45C
people and clearing the ship of reef.
The appointment of a new Paymaster
! General of the Army may be looked for il
: week or two. The vacancy occurs by tn,
b, retirement on Wednesday of General Roch
s ester. There are many candidates for tn
: place. The impression prevails a
the Department that Colonel G
NJ. Terrell, Pay Department
will be General Rochester's successor
= Colonel Terrell is credited with great per
{ sonal influence with the President. Whel
y Mr.. Harrison was in the Senate he had oc
casion to use his influence with the the
Chief Executive in behalf of Colonel Ter
r rell. The ladies of Mr.. Harrison's famil
}. are understood to be interested in Colone
4 Terrell's welfare.
a The death of Medical Director Adria
a Hudson on Friday night at Mare Island
g after an illness of five days, promotes Med
ical Inspector Walter X. Schofeld, Surgeo
q Daniel McMurtie and Passed Assistan
y Surgeon G. III. Fl. Hall.
: ODD THINGS PEOPLE DO.