Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-11
DANGER SIGNALS
Some Naval Officers Liable to Get
Into Trouble.
OPPOSITION TO TEE HALE BILL
Extract From a Circular Issued for
Private Circulation.
THE SECRETARY INFORMED
THE SECRETARY INFORMED

LdVdl Officers over Wnat IS known as per-
sonnet legislation" quickly A more
peaceful aspect there is lik. serious
trouble for some prominent e.. officers
in the near future. 1t all grows ont Of the
long pending dispute as to the best and most
equitable plans of removing the evils re-
sulting from the "stagnation of the SER
vice." The perennial fight between the line
and staff is now complicated by serious
disruption in the ranks of the line in which
the seniors are arrayed against the juniors
The relations between the two factions OF
the line which have been strained for
some time, have finally reached a state OF
open rupture. The outlook is exceedingly
discouraging for anything like satisfac.
tory and harmonious adjustment of the
pending differences.
Opposed to the Hale Bill.
1t appears that most of the senior line
officers are opposed to the personnel bill
introduced in the Senate last week by Sen
ator Hale, on the ground that 1t operates
unfairly against them in the interests of
the younger men of rhe service. According
| to common report, they have organized
their forces for an aggressive campaign to
secure the defeat of that particular bill
and all other proposed legislation based on
| the same general line. In accordance with
this plan OF opposition, a circular has been
put into private circulation. Despite pre-
cautions to he contrary, copies of this
document have fallen into unfriendly
hands. and the matter has been brought to
the personal notice of Secretary Herbert as
conduct in the nature of characterization.
What the Circular Says.
The circular, after reciting the action
taken at recent meeting of line officers to
consider steps for the benefit of the person.
mel of the navy, tells Of the break that
occurred in the following words:
1.-The senior officers were practically
| crowded out of participation or influence IN
the affairs of the Line Association, now to
be used an instrument for promoting
class legislation, which is most injurious to
the navy. The whole action of the meeting
was subversive of the objects and principles
OF the association. which were to resist at
tack and to advance by all honorable
means the best interests Of the navy.
AT meeting of some Of the senior Off
GERS recently held in Washington it was re-
solved to oppose schemes of legislation Of
the character already named, and to en-
deavor to secure a measure which will COM
mend itself to all grades as just and to the
best interests Of the service This move
ment has taken the form Of an organizati ton
under the name of the Naval Association.
The under signed have been appointed a
committee to manage the affairs of the
Naval Association. pending permanent
organization, upon the following basis of
principle and conduct: To support by proper
methods all measures and policies for the
improvement of the navy in organiza ton
and efficiency; to oppose all methods meas
ures and policies injurious to the navy and
to promote harmony in the service.
I'm pursuing the immediate object Of op-
posing any measure which embodies the
essential features of the Meyer bill, the or
ganization will endeavor to repress pubEca-
ton by newspapers of articles abusive of
any class or grade of officers which publi-
cations do not influence legislation. but do
great harm to the navy. With moderation
of expression 1t will seek just considera-
ton of the arguments which may apply"
1t is proposed to confine the membership
to line officers of experience, says the cir
cular, which means that the juniors are to
be denied admittance. All officers opposed
to the Meye' bill are invited by the or
ganizaton to line up and prepare for stiff
work.
This is the committee: Commodore Mat
thews Capt. George c. Remay. Capt. P. H.
Cooper, superintendent Of the Annapolis
Academy; Capt. P. F. Harrington, Com
P. Lamberton. in charge of the Maryland
lighthouse district; Commander Asa Walker
at Annapolis; Lieut.. Commander B. F. Til
ley, Annapolis: Lieut.. Commander, Leutze,
Lieut.. Commander Dunlap and Lieuts. Nc
Crackin, Kilburn and Mahan.
A Serious Question Arises.
A serious question has arisen In regard
TO the proposed course Oh actlOH luQlcateQ
in the above circular. 1t involves the right
and propriety. under the laws and naval
regulations, of officers interfering or at
tempting to influence legislation. What
makes the action Of the officers subject to
special criticism is that they are lighting
legislation suggested by the Secretary of
the Navy. 1t is asserted by some officers
that such action may properly be consider
ed a serious breach of discipline and render
the participants subject to admonition, if
nothing worse.
May BE Brought Up With a Round
Turn.
the situation, and is seriously considering
the advisabihty Of bringing the offenders
up with a round turn. He may do this by
simply reminding them that 1t is no part
of their duties to aid the Congress in max
ing the laws of the country, and that it
is hardly proper for them to attempt to
override the executive in its endeavor to
improve the naval service. 1t is said that
the list of offenders includes commodores,
manders, but it is only fair to say that Ad-
mirals Brown, Walker and Ramsay are not
of the number. 1t is said that the officers
named and few others of high rank OPP
posed the formation Of the new organiZa-
ton, and have steadfastly refused to in
dorse policy designed to oppose legisa-
ton desired by the civilian head of the
naval establishment. Danger flags are fly
ing over the Navy Department., and there
are indications of interesting times ahead
for faction Of officers numbering about