New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-16
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBvSE.J

a
Isr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBvSE.J
WASHINGTON. April l5-The relations between the
Commander in Chief Of the European station anu
the CAPTAIN of the flagship Chicago are much
strained. The Secretary Of the Navy is no" con-
sdering a series of reports made by Acting REAR
Admiral Erben against Captain Mahan ana ''e I"'-
ter's replies thereto. The action of secretary he'
bert on the reports Is awaited with much lhtercS'
An naval circles Coming soon after reports OF
sho unnloasantness on the Concord the Secretary Is
likely to speak emphaticaly when he terminates MS
conclusions.
1t appears that Commodore HFoen REGARDS NaP
tain Mahan as an inefficient commanding omcer %
a ship This is the effect OF the COMMODORE re-
morris to the Navy Department. He has eXpreSseu
mis- oninion on several occasions recently The hrst
report related the unsatisfactory con1toh oi t"e
Chicago at a time when the vessel was oihc'aii! II"
spec;cd by Commodore Erben and his stan Inc
ships appearance and the training anu uis0'p'
of her officers and not found 10 De up 10
the highest mark. AS under naval regulations
commanding officer responsible for the appearance
and efficiency of the ship and men under MS chaIse
Commodore Erben showed no hesitation IN pfIns
dng CAPTAIN Mahan TO task for what ne resarceu as
,dereiction of duty. AS is customary In such cases
a copy OF the report Of the inspection was lot
warled TO the Navy Department. Later on COM
modore Erben again inspected the chicago y"
this occasion he found the vessel TO be in more
satisfactory condition, but not yet up TO hieh
tary Of the Navy the Commodore gave captain
Mahan credit for this improvement in the appear
ance of the vessel and in the driis anu uiscipi"e
There were other points however, made against
the Chicago's commander. He was reported as lack
ang interest in his duties and to be otherwise I'M
fitted for his post. Commodore Erben Is THOR
oughlv practical and Jealous officer and the failure
on the part Of Captain Mahan TO be frequently out
on deck supervising or directing the execution oI
vessel drills evolutions etc. investigating COM
plants OF enlisted men at the mast ana o'her"Ne
exhibiting watchfulness and energy in carrying on
the ships routine seems TO have brought forth the
conclusion on the Commodores part that MS Chiei
of Staff was inefficient officer Instead oil Deihs
about the decks observing what was gong on during
the busy hours of the day, and keeping well IN hahd
everything relating 10 the good order and dlSciphe
of the Chicago Commodore Erben reports that Cap
tain Mahan was generally to be found in his cabin
engaged in literary pursuits. such lack OF zeal on
the part of a captain Of ship, proved MN TO be
inefficient in the eyes OF one Oh 'he Nav! "'oS'
In replying to the reports against his efficiency.
saws that he is far from being perfect as com
mandg officer of seagong snip but 'hat ne mas has
duties. on the contrary he declares thar Ne H HS
TO @s best 3 4ls ves lie points to
last inspection report OF COMMODORE ErDem 70
irnpTovement in fhe general condition of the snip.
Naval officers who know both Commodore ErDen
nature and Characteristics as two men well can
Commodore Erben Is the typlcal Ola salt,
earnest and energetic re As cease!ess IN ms %eai;
and his practice is to attach importance 10 very
ocTT DI Iids babi,S are sedentary and the details
little natural taste. Said an officer OF the Navy To-
Ellis fame is Chiefly due to the efforts OF his pen,
rather than 10 deeds done on the qu2rtcrdeck Just
the same, Mahan occupies an important place in
the Navy; and in the performance OF duties which
are cOngen,a 10 him no one Is his superior. Erben
Of them literary fellers' Evidently he and Mahan
The latest invention in ordnance to attract the
attention of naval officers is gun OF hbrous pulp
William r. Benson. of Massachusetts. The gun is
asserted 10 be strong enough 10 meet all require
and at little cost. 1t can be manufacturer IN any
desired size from IS,inch eallere down no TO
merit OF lightness Of weight which would permit
board vessels Of small tonnage. The principal parts
OF the gun are outer and inner bushng and
The inner bushing Is OF heavier steel thickness
of which depends upon the requirements 70 me
outer bushng are TO be attached projections "hicn
can be used for trunnions and at the same time
make the 6ashnS s % into ne anT required shape
excessive pressure, much as wheels Tor raaway
cars are manufactured The inner bushing Will, the
inventor says protect the pulp from ignition from
the powder. This bushing either be rifed or be
left smooth The pulp Is said TO be or sucn great
tenacty as TO sustain the shock OF any known ex-
posve
MIR. HILL AND THE SENATE RULES.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO sECURD a CHANGE AND
INTRODUCE CLOSURE
Washington. April 15.-Mr Hill took the initial
steps on Saturday in a matter that may result in
n prolonged discussion relative 10 the change in the
rules of the Senate. He offered various amend
ments to the present rules. and they were laid on
the table to be called up this week. when 1t is
not unlikely that Mr.. Hill will address the Senate
upon them. These amendments are almost Identical
with those which he offered during the fight on
the repeal Of the Sherman act and provide for the
counting Of a quorum, closure, the prevention OF
the raising OF the point OF no quorum when a
Senator is speaking, and at other times oftener thal
once an hour. These amendments In substance. II
along with many others during the last session OF
the Senate. and the committee, after Investigating
the question, directed the chairman. MI Black
burn. several weeks ago. to submit report that
al this time and that the matter should be post
poned until the next recess Of the Senate when me
whole subject would be taken up by the COM
mittee and full report made thereon. mat re-
port has not yet been made .,.. aoo. 80.
The proposition 70 change the rules now does moi
appear with the approval even or many OF
the at who are h wsv 'na TheH the
previous question and closure on genera prlncipies
change the rules would precpitate general de-
bate that would be welcomed by the Republicans
IS it would give them the very means they desire
Of postponing action the pending tariff bill The
debate on this proposition could be mao 10 osa F
months.
A WINDOW IN MEMORY OF ". A. CAULDWELL
Christ Blessing Little Children is the subject oil
a handsome opaescent glass window from the Ilf
fanny Glass and Decorating Company. which has
Just been placed in the sunday-schooi room of The
Calvary Baptist Church, the Rev. DR.. Macarthur
pastor The new window was seen for the first time
Yesterday afternoon, at the session OF the Sunday
school II is 10 the memory of William Aburt
Caldwell, long prominent merchant in this city
and for many years active worker In Dr. Mac
Arthurs church. having been Cor thirteen years N
superintendent OF the Sunday school. Mr.. Cauld
well died on March IL. 1893 The window is CIR
TO the church from the family Of Mr. canldwcli
EVEN THE CIRCUS BAGGAGE DRAW CROWD