The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-28
THE VACANT COMMANDS.
SECRETARY HERBERT TRYING TO
SOLVE A KNOTTY PROBLEM,
lost OF the Carnegie HsrveyiI:d Armor.-
Tho San FrAnolsco to Relieve the Chi
cago-Othsr Naval Nows.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., oct T.-Secre-
tary Herbert spent an hour with the
President this morning, endeavoring TO
settle a problem which has worried the
naval authorities for several months,
and which must be disposed OF prompt
ly. -Four important commands are 10 be
filled, the cuperintendents OF the Naval
Academy and Naval observatory, the
communicated ief OF the South Atlantic
station, and the cOmmandant OF the New
York Navy Yard, the latter becoming
vacant November 10Th by the retirement
OF Admiral Gherardi. ordinarily these
details would not cause go much con-
Germ, but AT present they involve most OF
he higher officers ~ the navy and nu-
merous changes are likely 10 result.
ADMIRAL w.LKER's PRIFEREsCKs.
Admiral Walker, it IS understood, Is
not anxious TO accept either OF the four
duties, yet his desires seriously CONF
plicate the problem III he could be as
signed 90 the naval academy the matter
would be simp!ihed, but he wishes TO
succeed Admiral Greer as chairman or
the Lighthouse Board next February.
Commodore Scltridge has been slated.
against his Will. Tor the command Of the
South Atlantic. which would leave tne
presidency OF the inspection board tenn
porarily for Admiral Walker. Commo-
dorc Sicord. now commanding the Ports
mouth navy yard, expects 70 get the
New York navy yard or the naval aci-
DENY. Captain J. ". Phillips, WAC COM
mandcd the cruiser New York In Brazil.
wants the naval observatory. ana com
mOdore Norton, Captain Bunce, captain
McNair. and a number OF prominent
officers are candidates for the places.
Secretary Herbert said this morning. that
he had not yet decided upon any OK the
details.
THE TEST POSTPONED.
The balistic test Of seventeenth
Carnegie Harveyized armor has been
POSTPONED until the middle OF November.
Until ali Of the thirteen plates for the
remaining barbette OF the battleship
Oregon nave been treated with the hard
ening process. one or these barbettes
have already been accepted. and the
naval ordinance officers had intended 10
select a plate typical OF the last lot and
test IL this week. but IL has now been
decided 10 walt until all the plates are
hardened. and then select the one which
appears weakest Eight of these plates
have already been completed by tho
Carnegie company. and the other i've
are now going through the process OF
harveyizing. The typical plate VIII be
attacked with the twelye-inch rife.
TO RELIEVE TIRE CHICAGO.
Secretary Herbert has ordered tho
cruiser san francisco TO relieve the Chi
cago as flagship Of the Euopcan squadron,
and instructions have been sent 20 thu
New York navy yard. where the ship Is
receiving repairs, 20 expedite the WORK
and prepare the ship for a three years
cruise In Ioeign waters. The orders were
"A eeat surprise 90 the navy. as IL was
expected the Chicago would remain
abroad another year, but the secretary
decided that she had better be put out OF
commission. pending the construction OF
her new machinery. Although the san
Francisco's repairs have been proceeding
very ieisurely for the last three months.
II is probable that the remaining work
on her will be rapidly dispatched. expe-
rience showing that vessel under ORDERS
for the Mediterranean station can inya-
rjably be completed I'm onc-tenth the time
that would be consumed II she were
intended for less desirable duty on some
Fotner station.
DEPOSITION or THE NEW YORK.
Confidence Is expressed that the San
Francisco will get away about the middle
OF November. orders for her ofncers 10
ioin the Chicago by mail steamers and
for the Machias 10 take ordnance TO tha,
vessel, have been revoked. IL Is thought
likely in the Navy Department that the
Castlne will later be ordered 20 Join the
European station. The orders TO the Sar
Francisco 10 become the flagship dispose
of the conflicting rsnorS about the
cruiser New York. The New York. =
soon as her repairs are ccmplcted early
In December. win 20 70 the West 1nossA