New-York tribune., 1896-12-26
NO MORE COMMODORES.
SCHEME OF NAVAL REORGANlZAliON
PROPOSED BY LINE OFFICERS.

IT WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 'o>""r'' ''> ~
FORM OF A BILL IN A FEW DAYs-PRo-
VISIONS FOR RETIREMENT AND THE RE-
SERVE LIsr-oTHER INNOVATIONS.
fpY TELEGRAPH THE TEIBuNE.]
Washington Dec 25.-L.ne officers OF the Navy
have drawn up a new reorganization scheme lor
their branch OF the service. The proposition WAS
prepared by officers on duty in this city
From reports which are in circulation, IL seems
that the proposition is the result OF the "ehoe'"
tons of line officers. who recently held 'hee'"'s
IN Washington TO consider the question vi 'es''
Ia,,on before Congress The new scheme ar'er
referring TO the appointment and re'ehuoh Vi
naval cadets. deals with commissioned oi'''., " =
No mention is made of the staff branches or the
Marine Corps The scheme abolishes the s'"ue
OF commodore. and transfers the ten o'"oe's III
that grade 10 the list of rear-admi9a's' "'""e
sixteen officers of the latter rank
Promotion TO the grade of rcaradmiral Is 10 oe ps
seniority not by selection, as proposed IN many onS
before Congress. In addition TO the active anu re-
tired lists there is to be reserve hst' HIS - " "
comprised Of officers the active lisi VINO No'"''"
ily apply for transfer TO 1t. There are " w "'
forced transfers Generally officers on 'he rese >e
list are to perform shore duty In case OF war 'ey
can be ordered on any service by the Preslueh' i"
Zines Of neace they may be assigned TO any shore
duty. except that they cannot he detailed as hea''
OF bureaus In the Navy Department command navy
yards or ac. as executive officers thereof OF De as
signed 10 lighthouse service. The highest rank 10
which an officer on the reserved list can attain is
that of captain Up that grade there Is 10 ne resu-
lar promotion among those on the lis
The new proposition provides for sixteen promo
tions among commanders and twenty advancemenes,
of lieutenant commanders each year. u the anhudi
casualties do not cause this number OF vacancies d
board OF officers Is TO he appointed 10 consluer tnc
Qualifica ons Of officers IN these grades 1ne poaru
having in mind the especial fitness of oilcers i0i sea
duty Is 10 recommend for retirement sullIcIen.
number of commanders and lieutenant commanders
10 bring the total number of vacancies IN the Two
grades Ip to that given. In this connection what Is
known among naval officers as selecting out Is 70
apply. ,, H.. ,,,o ro
Another feature of the scheme provides for the re-
trement OF officers after thirty years service ne
object of the proposition being not only 10 assure 4
flow OF promotion in the future. but 10 bfins aoou'
al once considerable number Of vacancies, 1t is pro,
posed to reduce the number Of officers IN seveia, sever a;
grades who entered the Naval Academy IN certain
years. On this subject the House and senate p,i,s
VIII read that of the officers who entered the acan-
emy between years 1861 and 1867 there are 10 ne
retained on the active list but 49,, as follows, oo
Class OF 1861 u.s. class of 1862 Il: class OF lsS5 -v
class OF 1864 a. class OF 1867 %; class OF l ~ anu
class of 1867. 1e. , m -.
WHAT disposition Is % he made Of the officers OF
these dates is not yet known In all pending p,ls on
the subject of naval line reorganization the SunpIus
officers are transferred 10 the reserve list Cictl
who have the proposition in charge VIII not
sneak of the new scheme very frankly.