New-York tribune., 1895-12-12
THE ENGINEERING PERSONNEL BILL
IT HAS MANY GOOD FEATURES AND WILL. GREAT
LY STRENGTHEN THE CORPS

VHE ENGINEERING PERSONNEL BILL.
IT HAS MANY GOOD FEATURES AND WILL. GREAT
LY STRENGTHEN THE CORPS.
Washington. Dec Il (SpeciaD-A careful scrutiny
OF the Naval Engineering Personnel bill, introduced
by Senator SQUIRE yesterday. shows that it s one
OF the bestdrawn bills that have ever been presented
OH naval affairs An increase OF the corps 20 300
commissioned officers Is provided for This num-
Der was allowed by the Naval Committee of the
LID Congress the need for engineers was
less than It is now: that IN this respect the de-
mands OF the engineers moderate. The posi-
tive rank and titles OF the line officers are asked
for. Since the modern warshp will have a freroom
force almost equal in numbers to that Of the deck
contingent. and since Il is proposed 10 allow six
teen admirals for those above the protective deck
the engineers of the Navy ask that their chief OF
bureau be known as the Naval Dlrector-General OF
Engineering and that he shall have the rank Of
rear-admira. To relieve him OF part of the duties
which comprised In his work 1t is proposed that
two assistant inspectors general of engineering who
shall rank az commodore, be allowed. The scope
and power of the bureau have been increased for
everything relating to hydraulic, pneumatic steam
electric and other mechanical appliances Is placed
under the province OF this department. The engi-
neer alone Is capable OF keeping these appliances
IN repair and order, and is now proposed to make
him responsible for their condition The engineers
demand control. subject to the authority Of the
commanding officer alone. OF the entire engineer
iOiSc' anu tHdt THESE men SndIl De paced under
control of officers who understand the severity Of
their labor and the difficulties under which they
work
A naval engineering experimental school is sug-
gested which the engineers believe should be estab-
hshed at New-London There is urgent necessity
that such schoo. which would also give post
graduate instruction TO the assistant engineers
should be organized without delay. There are many
important marine engineering questions be solved
49, ucH an 'isstuton ana II once established will
MAKE w-London the centre of marine engineering
influence In the United States.
is sa RaaxnE the Of the ,ba b
,he Navai Academy at Annapolis is unable even
ply exstns vacancies il is ppepoSed o cs 10 Or sup
leading scientific institutions OF the country for
assistance in this matter Those colleges which
establish course Of engineering satisfactory to
the Secretary OF the Navy shall be empowered to
graduate men who shall be appointed cadet en-
gineers. These young men viii be sent 70 sea and
10 some POSTGRADUATE school OF instruction for
academy graduates for commissions in the the NavS
Inc various scientific colleges in the country have
already been aroused to the Importance OF this
measure and they will actively cooperate with
senator Squire in making this bill a law The
educational feature OF this measure and in return
for the appropriations given to them by the Gov
ernment they propose TO send forth the best Of
their young men 10 commissions In the
Navy. Senator Squire says this educational feature
Is founded on patriotism and common sense
radical change is suggested in the manner Of
appointing the cadets OF the engineering branch at
disinclnaton the part OF these young men
TO choose the engineering profession Il is pro-
cadets be vested in the Senators Of the severa7
States. the delegates from the Territories and four
appointments-at-large by the President it being
compulsory 10 appoint one resident OF the District
OF Columbia. AS the Senators would have an ap-
pontment every four years, it would give a class
o. cadet engineers numbering about iwenty-fonr
annually. In order 10 relieve the engineers now at
sea these cadets who have finished the prescribed
course a. Annapolis should be ordered TO the Navai
Academy without delay for the required examina-
tions preliminary TO promotion 10 the grade OF d
sstant engineer.