New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-08
LINE AND STAFF WRANGLE RENEWED
NAVAL. CIRCLES SAID TO BE IN a STATE OF Ex.

NAVAL CIRCLES SAID To BE IN y SlhiE w LA
CITEMENT OVER a BILL JUST INTRODUCED
Washington. Feb. (Specia,).-The bill ITO re.
organize and the efficiency of the personnel
OF the Navy" introduced in the Senate by Senator
Hale by request mas stirred up naval circles more
than any measure relating 10 the same SUBJECT
which has been presented In Congress TOT many
years. The bill IL far reaching in its enects, ana
brings about radical changes in all or the corps OK
the Navy. well among the enlisted men,
Senator Hale Is reported 10 have said that he -
not responsible for the bill, and that he introduced
II as a matter Of form and al the request Oh an OF
fcer There Is feeling that the bill VIII create
increased friction among line and staff officers ana
tend prejudice the prospects of legislation favor
able 10 the naval personnel during the present
Congress Antagonism 10 the bill has already been
shown not only by the officers who are injuriousy
affected by its provisions. but by their friends 10
the Senate and House. Among the radical features
Of the bill the following:
In the line a list OF applicants for voluntary
retirement is first established. II in any year
the vacancies above the grade Of ieutenant-ccrfl-
mander are less than eighteen and the vacancies
above the grade Of lieutenant are less than twenty
one, board composed Of five rear-admlra.s ~ 10
'scrItnize" this list OF officers and TO recommend
the retirement OF a sufficient number OF oifcerS
borne on the list 10 create ihirty-nine Nacancles'
In case there are not enough applicants lor re-
iirement the scrutiny is to ex,e-d to all officers
OF the grades Of captain. commander ana ieutehaht,
commander. and the officers named by the board
are 10 BE- placed on the retired list. The grade OF
commodore is abolished and officers OF that rank
or relative rank are to become rear-admirals. In
all bill provides for twenty rear-admiras sixty
five captains eighty commanders, 10 Neuienant-
commanders go ileutenants ana not more tnan
2l5 junior eutenants and enslgns, or an increase
over the number now provided by law or fourteen
admras. twenty captains. sxty-one lieutenant-com-
manders and ten lieutenants.
OF the stan corps. the grades OF the medical
corps are frs, increased and afterwarI reduced IN
rank and numbers leaving the total number or
officers al 49, as opposed to lS6 provided for
by law. But promotion Is authorized Tor every
two subsequent vacancies that occur The pay
cOrps Is dealt with severely. Its officers are re-
duced In both numbers and rank. Upon death ana
other casualties removing officers now in the
respective grades from the active list the corps
becomes extinct, line officers being detailed To act
paymasters. - - -
template n reduction Of eighty-sx in the number
of officers and the substitution of warrant officers
in place of commissioned officers for duty In the
engine rooms of seagoing vessels The commits.
stoned officers to perform the duty OF design
ing and constructing engines on shore. Young Of
iicers on the active list who were graduated from
the Naval Academy are TO b. transferred To the
line to rank with their classmates. according TO
their standing at the time or graduation
The fate of the marine corps is more harsh than
that o the others. IL Is to be partly abolished
and partly absorbed by the line. The enlisted men
are DO withdrawn from seagoing ships. and their
places at the navy yards are to be taken by SAIL
ors and watchmen The watchmen are to be re-
cruited from the veterans OF the navy and marine
corps Graduates OF the Naval Academy are TO
be transferred the line The bill generously pro-
yides for the maintenance OF the famous Marine
Band The chaplans reduced In number by
five. The corps OF constructors is increased from
fourteen to thirty five. There to be further
appointments of civil engineers. professors OF
mathematics, boatswains, carpenters and sail.
makers Reductions are to be made in the several
corps BY the system OF one promotion for every
two vacancies that may occur.