New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-18
NAVAL AND ARMY NOTES
THE LINE AND STAFF CONrRovrp.-
COMES UP AGAIN.
QUEER DOiNGs IN THE NAVY" AND TIE r,o.,
BILE IT IL cAUsING-DErAIrs or TN,
CLASS AT FORT MoNROE-coy-
sTRCcToR HIcHBoRN's PRAc-
Teal SUGGESTIONS.
fey TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrsyNy1

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRfBuNy1
Washington July I7-There is another distuyh.,..
in tho Naval camp 1t promises 70 be a ser,o,, 49,.
and TO Involve not only officers OF high rank bu, "
least one member Of Congress The trouble IN a.
outgrowth Of the iongcontinued line and stan a,,.
in tho Navy. 1t Is putting the mildly "a a..
that In recent years has a matter arisen WIT,
has thoroughly stirred up the branches OF IA.
Navy which are concerned. To get a fair un6.,
standing OF the present trouble II Is necessary bs
to review what has recent, taken place shoy,
before the adjournment Of Congress Asa NJ Ma,,,.
formerly q passed assistant engineer In the Nav,
sent to Representative Wilson. OF Brooklyn Nm.
communication entitled Queer Doings IN n.
Navy" In this Mr.. Matticc charged that much n,
fairness has been shown 10 the officers OF N.
former corps by officers Of the line. and that n.
| authorities Disseminated against engineer oces,,
and in favor Of the line branch. He ntnated fra,
an investigation would prove that there should 4.
a revision Of laws affecting line officers LOOKING 4,
a reduction in their numbers and their au,hor,,
Expressed in a word the communication strong,
presented his side Of the case. Extracts from
have been published IN The Tribune
There were many officers. especially those Of a.
lire. who seriously questioned the propriety OF vrA
fishing such a communication. and many unfar,
able comments were made when II appeared IN a.
form Of a pamphlet. Representative Wilson
TegdrCcN communication
and had It printed. Tho pamphlet was extensive,
circulated. Line officers have now re,alia.ed Ar,
the method adopted by them is that which occas,o.
the present dist Jrbance in the Naval carnn INA.
the title Reprint CT Line Officers Associa.,oa -
the Information Of Naval Officers and Others"
pamphlet republishing the communication OF N,
Mattice to Representative Wilson has been i.,u.s
The communication is published In full and d,
verbatim copy OF the one which Mfr Wilson Ia
the pamphlet has been forwarded to all officer, ~
the Engineer Corps ashore and afoat. also. n
said TO each line officer at home and abroad. I,
each pamphlet there is pasted slip. upon vhks
the following is printed:
The inclosed pamphlet Is an exac, and connie.
reprint OF an original copy In the possession Of N.
Line Oncers' Association. II is forwarded % va
for your information The line officers OF IN. ysyv
are loath to believe that you will counenance ~
statements made therein approve Of It's pu61es.
gressonal legislation In order. however "a, va =.
mistake on this point may occur you are respectfurv
the following: s'''
The contents Of the pamphlet by Asa ~ Matte.
entitled Queer Dongs in the Navy" do ~ me-.
with my approoa lion; and It's publication is - sr
proved by me. (Slgnature) --
To Commodore R L. Phythsn. United States Y.yy
Naval Observatory. Washington. D {.
In effect the foregoing asks officers OF the Engine-
Corps to say whether they indorse the expressions
Mr.. Mattice. No information has been received a.
TO the motive OF line officers IN sending out reou.s
for opinions from engineer officers Engineer cfnceu
are highly indignant that such an Inquiry should "
sent to them. A number OF them have laid the m,..
ter before CHIEF Melville and have urA
him to present II 10 Secretary Herbert. This ccur
Mr.. Melville Will take IL is said al once
Representative Wilson is also angry and y IA
will appeal 70 Mr. Herbert. Engineer of1ce-u
tnat me oincers have no shadow Of right 10 ca
upon them for such an expression as they ask in IN
foregoing, and that their action Is therefore mos
extraordinary The disturbance promises 10 be
ilve.y one. In which the Secretary Of the Navy VI
nave 10 act In his official capacity.
The list OF details OF members OF the class q
Fort Monroe will shortly be announced from the
war Department. The recommendations Of all col
onels OF regiments OF artillery have been received
Early next week. probably. list embracing the
names Of officers mentioned in the recommendation
VIII be prepared and submitted TO General Miles for
action: The present class at Fort Monroe consists
OF eighteen members. The new class will comprise
at least that number. possibly two more The new
session does not begin until September l. The course
embraces two years Formerly detail 10 Fort
Monroe was not regarded with much favor by many
officers Of artillery. The course Of instruction 10
comprehensive and the work somewhat arduors.
Most Of the officers seem to prefer duty with Their
respective batteries TO becoming students Latteriy.
however ideas on the subject have undergone .
change and the detail! Is regarded with great favos
Chief Naval Constructor Hchborn has made an e.
cellent practical suggestion TO the Secretary OF me
Navy IN the way OF Improvement IN the present
system Of obtaining certain supplies for ST. rs. IN
IN effect that there should be purchased and stored
at certain Navy Yards. quantity OF well-seasoned
planks. for ships decks. The Navy Department:
has recently been much emba rrassed. owing TO tns
fact that repairs 10 ships could not be pror5pu!
made because deck planks OF suitable KIND ana an,
quality were not on hand and could not be 9uicxy
obi aimed Secretary Herbert II IL said VIII ~.
prove IL and direct that the proposed plan ne ps.
in operation at once. Chief Constructor HicnoSin
idea is that at the Navy Yards at Newly ork No
folk and San Francisco there should constantly 49,. =
kept on hand a double set OF well-seasone1 o'@A
planks. available for use at all times
WIRE-WALKTNG AND FIREWORKS.