The evening times., 1896-01-07
NivlL= PERSONNEL Relief
Measure Presented 10 Secretary
by Senior Line Officers.
YOUNG OFFICERS oppose IT
1t Provides for the, Retention of An
the Naval Ranks, Limits the Num-
her of Officers and Regulates Com
ditfOns of Appoint ment and Promo-
tion-Stif Fight Is Expected.

An omnibus measure for the relief of the
naval personnel hay Sa.en prepared by the
senior line Officers Organization, and has
been presented 10 Secretary Herbert by
Commodore Matthews, with the request
that the Secretary forward 1t TO both
Senate and House Naval Committees with
such comments as he secs fit.
The hin covers every 3ranch of the Navy.
including the Marin ( Q<fps and the enlisted
force, ana is one PT ihe most complete
presentations of tim NECESSITY Of some
lief measure that have ever been drawn
up The bill will, ulrcpurse not bc ap-
proved by the youngeS'clement, and there
will unqucstionably be "a stiff fight over
| it.
The leading Officers OF the navy, however,
those, ut least, OF distinguished rank and
long term OF service, are the authors and in
dorsers or the proposed scheme. and ARA ycd
against it will lie officers below the grade OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iider. and some few above
This rank If ma iOrty vote OF the line was
taken on personnel measure, the younger
element would prevail, because OF their
greater number; but us rank must have
great weight with the secretary, ard the
presentations orhigh ranking Officers would
those or juniors, however much they may be
III a voting ma 1ority the bill presented today
mas, ITS advocates think, "A most excellent
chance or approval by Congress.
The juniors claim they will rOut IL, and
mat 10 RELIEF measure tan possibly pass with
out their sanction. If the secretary finds
thisfs true, he will undoubtedly rally biso own
forces, and urge, If any personnel bill is
passed, one acceptable to the senior orri-
Ar m bot
provided such a bill is considered expeti,nt
10y the authorities here,
NEW PLAN DEFINED
The new measure retains all the ranks
and grades now provided for the line, in
cluding that OF commodore, which most
bills have sought 10 abolish. The number
OF rear-admirals Is limited to 10: commo-
dores, 10: captains, go; commanders. 10:
lieutenant-coninanders 100, and a number
or junior officers Ia niainta In the total num-
ber or officers now allowed the active list.
The bill limits the number OF appointments
To the grade OF ensign each year TO 80, and
fixcs the ages for admission OF naval cadets
between fifteen and seventeen. No ensign
shall be eligible 10 promotion until he has
served three years ON a cruising vessel.
Ali junior grade lieutenants and ensigns
who have completed eight years service
shall be promoted TO the next higher grade
on passing examinations the service at
the Naval Academy being Included. Promo
uons To the grade OF rear admiral. cOmmo-
dore, captain, commander. lieutenant COM
mander, or lieutenant shall DE by seniority,
subject to examination. The senior aptain.
however, shall not be advanced TO the
next grade If he be over fif,y-nine years
OF age. Any captain. however. who has
served forty years in the service, and who
becomes ineligible by age TO advancement
or is found physically disqualified, shall
'e advanced grade and them retired with
10 per cent OF the sea pay OF that grade.
Captains below the fifth number of their
grade and commanders shall ba retired
upon reachng,he age of 'fHty-eiyht years,
subsequent 10 Jpne 90, 1893. Pr.rnotians..
from thclower graoesSirc 10 BE- ma tir with a
the following restScuOps.s l. ,-i,fl
CONDITIONS or SERVICE. 81
Lieutcnants must servt five years at sea, 4
not more than half e Which may have bcen.
on the staff of an adn,iraI: lieutenant conn
mapdcrs, two ycars rs executive officer:
commanders. two Nsass' service in vessels
on acti-c duty: cIb,ains. four years ser
vicc in a ship in coam1ission.
In case an officer i1deharred from pro-
motion by reason pffnsufficcnt sea ser
vice the officer next in rank. If qualified,
shall be advanced.'
1 nt blll also pFOphitS Il tulrll years re-
firing clause and also reserve list for
all corps. This list isito be composed OF
men who have been bonorably discharged
after graduation fTpfn the Naval Academy
or who may resier from the navy. These
men. on application't TO the President. may
he commissioned and held in readiness
for service when their services are re-
quirel. They are not to be paid Il sal
ary however. or employed in any naval
duty, but shall be subject 10 the orders
of the government i'll time of war.
The bill does not provide positive rank
for staff Officers. and requires that those
above the grade OF comma nder shall he ad- |
dressed by their titles, and those below rs |
mister doctor or whatever else that may |
he appropriate. The bill limits the num- |
Der of appointments from the academy TO |
the engineer corps to fifteen, ard changes |
the title of the chief naval constructor to |
that of director of construction.
The chaplains are well provided for, and |
the rank of the topmen increased. The |
leader of the Marine Band is to have the |
rank of second lieutenant. and the terms OF |
enlistment are changed to four years. |
Changes in the marine corps are unimpor-
taDt.