New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-26
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
TIE NEW BATTLEsIIIP MAssACHUsETTs- TIL
NAVY PEESONNEI.

THE NEW BATTLEsIIIP MASSACHUSETTS THE
NAVY PERSONNEL
Washington March % (SpecaD.-The battieship
Massachusetts will be the next naval vessel TO be
ready for contractors trial trip. The Navy De-
partment has just received reports which show
highly satisfactory progress towards the ships COM
pletion. Her machinery is all In place. Work on
the hull is somewhat behind. owing to the monde
livery of certain armor On the receipt Of the
plates delay will be had in boiling them In posi-
ton Chief Constructor Hchborn said to-day that
she will probably be ready for a trial of her ma
chinery within a month. The Massachusetts Is
exact counterpart Of the Indiana, and the latter
vessel has shown highly satisfactory results In her
preliminary run at sea it may be thought sufficient
to try her sister at dock.
At its sessions yesterday Engineer-n-Chie Mel
vile presented to the Joint Committee inquirng
into the conditions and needs Of the naval person
mel bill for the relief OF officers OF the Engineer
Corps. The bill contains number OF features OF
Importance to the officers of this corps 1t provides
that the corps shall consist OF engneer-inchief
with the rank OF commodore Tor rear-admra IL
the rank of commodore Is abolished), fifteen cap
tans twenty-four commanders fifty lieutenant
commanders ninety lieutenants seventy lieuten-
ants Junior grade. and fifty ensgns. an increase
Of l2f in the total number OF officers. All officers
are TO have actual. not relative rank The Increase
In number Of officers in all but the lowest grade
is to be brought about by transfers from the junior
lieutenants and ensgns OF the line, who are 10 be
selected by board Of officers account OF their
special fitness for duty IN the Engineer Corps.
Vacancies in the lowest grade are TO be filed by
the promotion Of naval cadets The duties OF the
senior engineer OF a vessel clearly defined He
Is TO command the engineering department and be
responsible to the commanding officer OF the ship
for the preservation and efficiency of the machinery
and appliances in the department. The pay OF all
engineer officers on the active list is 10 be
pued follows:
Upon entering the service officer IL 10 receive
sl,4O per year, with annual Increase OF $SD for
each succeeding year Of service. Except In the
OF the chief OF the Bureau OF Engineering. the pay
OF officer OF the corps Is TO exceed 81 800 per
cent less pay than they receive at sea This de-
crease will be 10 per cent greater In the of
officers on leave waiting orders and 20 per
greater when the leave OF absence Is for a period
longer than three months Sixty years Is fixed
the retiring age OF all officers OF the corps After
thirty years service officers may upon their own APP
p'icaton be retired.
Many officers OF the Army. who are Interested IN
the matter. Will regret to learn That the proposed
extensive exchange OF troops In June viii not take
place II has been found BY the officials at the
War Department that the condition OF the present
appropriation for transportation Will not warrant
many Transfers General Schoheld Is now preparing
a modified scheme OF transfers. which will be put
INTO elfect at the earliest practicable date Piatts-
burg barracks. n. Y, Will be the chief gamer
under me new programme. Companies d. +, q and
or the list Regiment, now at Fort Sidney Ne !
braska. VIII surely be ordered 10 PNtsburg. II
there are no unexpected demands the transporta