The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-12
TIE NAVY PERSONNEL
Various Measures to Secure the Reorgani-
zntion OF Line md stan.

WAsHISGToN. April 10.-Eforts to revise the
present personnel system have not yet been re-
Taxed. although the prospect OF finding time for
1t at this session is not very bright. A House
on the subject consists OF
Messrs. Hulick. Robinson. Wilson, Foss. Money,
Meyer and Hall.
Mr.. Money has introduced a bill which deals
with the line. and provides that there shall be
on the active list 10 Rear Admirals. or 4 moro
than now; Is Commodores, an increase Of 5;
CO Captains, an increase OF 20; S5 Com
manders. rs at present; 100 Lieutenant-Com-
manders. or 20 more than now: ESQ Lieu
tenants, rs at present: 100 Junior Lieuteu-
ants, an increase of 20. and only enough En-
signs to make up the present aggregate of Off
GERS fixed by law. 1t Is clear that this pro-
vision would greatly reduce the present active
list OF Ensigns; but the bill would cause many
promotions without having recourse to tho
compulsory reserve and retirement features of
some other measures.
AS to this last matter, Mr.. Moneys bill con-
tents Itself with providing that all commits
stoned officers, after thirty-five years OF service.
may, on their own application. with the Presi-
dents approval. be placed upon the retired list
on three-fourths pay. The bill also provides
FOR reducing the age limits for admission to the
Naval Academy to between 10 and l. years, in
that respect agreeing with other bills.
\ bill offered by Mr.. Johnson of Colorado Is
based on that Of Mr.. Huling of the House Naval
Committee. which has heretofore been de-
scribed. But il declares that all Rear Admirals,
except those provided for in one of its sections,
shall be appointed by the President from among
Senate. \ Board Of Rear Admirals Is TO select
from the li>t OF CAPTAINS II list of names for the
Presidents consideration, three for each va
cancy. and to make a report thereon. But no
Captain shall be to flag rank I'M
less he has for two years, as Captain. com
maDuel a EpuyOiug maD-Of-War. and has still
four years to serve on the active list.
staff c"rns. rroyId,nw notI"ra nlv That theeirp
officers are TO he commissioned with positive.
rank, to be EXPRESSED in their commissions
They are TO have no military commands. but
are To possess all needed authority within their
own departments for the performance, of their
specifically it is declared that, "Notwithstand-
Ing the rank and authority conferred on officers
are, in all such details and matters as re-
late to the service on which they are
the discipline and interior economy OF ships, to
be subject To the authority OF the officers of the
he dccrncd 10 be SUPERIOR in rank, to or take
precedence Of the officer commanding the ship
or station. And Ensigns and stan officers ot tho
rank of Ensigns shall mess and have quarters in
the wardroom whenever practicable" Finally,
the, pay OF medical pay, and engineer officers
viacd bv law for line officers of equal rank.
A bill presented by Mr.. Harmer allows any
h0nornbly and continuously for twelve years to
apply for shore duty at n yard or station. such
serve. and are to have not less than two weeks
instruction yearly, In target practice and other
of men primarily holding such places, and they
may be assigned 10 duty aboard ship in case "
war or other special emergency. After thirty
five years OF continuous service. afioat and
ashore. petty officers ana enlisted men may be
retired on three fOurths pay, as they may also
AZ any time for being physically disabled in the
line Of duty. The men serving on shore under
this act are TO bo In excess OF the number AL
lowed in the navy by law.