The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-03
STAGNATION IN TIE NAVY.
REMEDIES PROPOSED M sECnErARY
TRfCrS NAVAL BOlRD.


Hedueiag the Nsmber 90 as 20 Give .
Navy OF Grades Suitably Fropertienea 70
Each Other-New Ruies Tor Promotes.
WARRINGTON. Oct 2-The Naval Board. ap.
pointed BY Secretary Tracy to examine into
and report upon the present stagnstion Of Of
ficers In the navy and recommend such meas
ures as IL may deem desirable to regulate
promotion. with view to increased en-
cheney. has submitted its report through Capt
Phythian. The report says:
We havo now arrived at that point where q
radical modification Of existing laws must be
made to prevent tho personnel Of the navy
from becoming totally inefflcient from con-
gestion. and from paralysis Of some Of the most
essential faculties Of officers. arising from lack
OF opportunity to use them"
An argument is made TO show the absolute
dependence OF the Admiral upon his subordi-
nate officers and the necessity for development
In them OF the habit Of commanding and direct
Ing the movements Of q ship habit that can
best be acquired during youth. and one that
the growing indisposition OF advancing years
to rise to unusual tasks and responsibilities
makes difficult OF requirement to officers Of
mature years. Therefore It Is held that there
should be prescribed a minimum age at which
command rank should be reached. as well as Q
tice.
Touching the remedies for the present situa-
ton. the Board finds that It is necessary to re-
lieve the lists from the depressing effect Of the
large number Of appointments to tho navy be-
fore and during the war: and therefore Il ad-
vises that as early date as possible an ex-
animation OF the lists be made for the purpose
OF preparing q new organization upon the basis
OF the grades and numbers as hereafter pro-
posed. A Board should select the most Of
Should bs n' but Sr oses
wise, there should be no restriction a.
to the 10 GRADE o..t the
the osers not chosen mt iesSe' nsEs
Of tho now organization the Board shall nomi-
eshs f.. d Msss
The navy comprissoned for see service. at TIE
own appiieation. provided that The number q
ne nv o
ESsS Is s Ss1
. Having reduced the lists to the normal tho
Board turns to general remedies and recon-
/. A rearrangement Of the numbers In tho
S 4angSas % CO tho s a9s s sso cs snd
modore and Commander respectively-a GER
tain minimum length OF time yet to serve
ead 9e
tains and Lieutenant-C q selection
b nsSS sSts en- s sa & s%
either Of these grades unless. in addition to
professional. moral, and physical competency,
he shall have also before him the prescribed
time to serve before retirement
8. Final compulsory retirement. which de-
tie Captain and pe
spectiye!y whom they come up for promotion.
Having adopted these three guiding prinoi-
s VIII Il be af@ sn sSs na1g
and at the same time insure g proper flow OF
Rhs
ing command rank at a suitable age.
The grSdes and numbers should be as fol-
IS: $. CAPTAINS. 81: I. 6emmandsrs. 70: &.
200; and s Lieutenants Junior eradej and
The Board fixes on forty-six years Of service
as the period Of compulsory retirement aud
that no Lieutenant Commander
has less than five. These promotions should
be ben made I'D anap1eiy Ry Besrd BY selecting
many names as there are vacancies, together
with the names Of Captains who would. unless
promoted pass the retiring limit, and from these
&c
!iye years to serve shall be at once retired. |
The same rule generally H. to apply to Lieu
retirement. Other grades are to be filled By
made for Tie ocers Of she voIanteer naSgbs
IN IN h te% to
snt grades in the service in addition to the |
number Of such grades fixed by the Board.