New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-15
pos1rrvr RANK FOR NAVAL ENGINEERS

pr,soxs WHY THEY ARE DESERVING OF The
FULLEST RECOGNITION AT TIE
HANDS OF CONGRESS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir. Senate bill No. 725 Oh. r. NO Sei9' LOT inc
rcorgan' "a ton OF the Engineer corps oi 'io
nrovides in Section that naval engineers sna" ~
various ranks. Of the same name ana sia'e a.
the line Of the Navy. instead OF the so-caiieu ~
tive" rank which they hold. The reasons why
the nronosed changes should be made are briehy do
follows ,,
The modern warship is a steel structure nleu
with machinery from stem to stern ana the ensi
necr force may now in numbers be nearly o'e-n''.
the entire ships company. ire aosoi"'e' '
Importance of this machinery and the Necessity
OF IFS being maintained In condition OF the hls"
os, efficiency render suicidal the best interests
of the naval service any system OF rank anu posi-
ton which in any way interferes with the cicieh'
organization and control Of this body or men,
That the present system does so interfere VIII Do
evident 10 any one who will take the trouble 10
examine the question.
In time of battle the engineer force Is called on
TO work below decks, frequently shut up IN her-
meticaIy sealed compar tments. and in absolute ig-
norsnoe Of what Is going on above, uncertain
as to what the instant may bring forth This
uncertainty and ignorance give rise TO an intense
nervous strain and to hold men under such con-
ditons under proper subsection. and maintain them
in a state OF good working efficiency. Is task
than which coming within the whole range
OF ship discipline and organization can be more
severe The engineers of the Navy ask tor the
reorganization OF their corps contemplated in
this bill. az aid in carrying out this task.
The days of the sailing ship for war purposes arc
gone. We in new age of naval architecture.
and organization OF naval personnel which
satisfactory and suitable under the conditions
listing forty fifty years ago Is certain to be
,l-
new Navy is in large measure due to the work of
the naval engineers. and no class Of men Is more
concerned with the success of future efforts
more anxious to maintain the ships already built
system with modern ships may be said to have
been on t!ia! about ten years and has In that
the deliberate belief Of the members of the corps
thai these changes In ORGANIZATION Will aid greatly
IN improving the eficiency OF our ships fight
ing machines. They seek In no wise T. command
the ship. but simply under a new form OF organiza-
corps and In the naval service large. The opln-
ION OF these officers carefully formed with fun
be set lightly aside.
Again the names captain. commander and leu
tenant nave no chronological or literal reference, TO
the duties OF the officers who now bear these titles
ana therc IS no reason why these names should not
ne extended to the officers of the engineer corps
WI.n te name OF the corps added to distinguish the
branch of the service to which they belong. This
IS me system in use IN the Army whore The. condl-
.ioiIa arr lule aaIosols ana IL has been found TO
work admirably. Rank and title arc essential
us
now thlnk OF denying that tho engineer and his
DIVISION constitute an integral part o. the general
nHltary organization OF modern warshp In so
far as the promotion to the various grades and
titles may be considered as reward for faithful
terNlc" or distinguished bravery In time of danger
surely all part!cipa'l on should not te denied the
engineer. The dangers to which he Is exposed are
in no wise less serious less trying than In the
ease OF the deck officer. and he Is surely equally
worthy Of reward.
Again. as final. but by means tho least of tho
various reasons. u should be borne in mind tha =
the engineers OF the Navy desire a reorganization
cinhodNing IN" features provided for in this bin
They have waited long and suffered much Their
request IS Reasonable. and Congress canno, afford
TO put OF settlement OF this question. which g.
bound 10 com" sooner or later Let those who feel
inclined 10 doubt this consider calmly the changes
which have come about in the last ten years re-
lat NJ 70 tho naval engineer his work. ana his I'm
portanre as factor In modern naval warfare
with this in mind. JET an attempt bc made 20 read
the probable trend OF affairs in the near future.
The conclusion IL Inevitable that claims OF
naval engineer to ~" recognition which n. seeks
cannot long be postponed There is no time better
than the present. Their request IL reasonable n IL
just. II Is in the spirit Of the and the interest
OF better efficiency. W. +. Dt'KAND.
Professor Of Marine Engineering. Cornell Univrr-
sty
Fob