Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22
fore recruits should be drawn from desig-

committee will secure action upon the bill
at the earliest possible moment It me-
require special rule to get the bill before
the House
Another amendment provides that eat the
end OF any war in which the United States
may become involved the army shall be
reduced to peace basis by the transfer or
absorption through promotion of the SUPER
Eumerary officers and the honorable dis
charge or transfer of supernumerary en-
listed men,"
The prohibition on the payment by state
or local officers Of a bounty or gratuity of
money to a soldier as an inducement to an
list In the United States military service
has been amended by adding under the
provisions Of this act" Section of the
bill increases by 20 par cent over the fixed
rates in time of war the pay proper of en-
listed men actually serving In commands
operating against an enemy" The COM
mtttee has struck out the words quoted.
Section for the drawing upon the states
for recruits is amended by providing that
each state or territory, including the Dis
trfct of Columbia, shall first be allotted its
proportional quota of such recruits. There
are number of other minor amendments
already published.
The Senate committee on naval affairs
today granted a hearing to a number of
gentlemen on the proposition contained in
an amendment to the naval appropriation
bill for the construction of a steel floating
dry dock of the Clark & Stanfield model in
the New York harbor, the government to
pay $4,000 year for the use of the dock
Among those who were heard were Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt ex-senator Black
burn, Mr.. Clark, one of the inventors of
the system sought to be used, and Mr.. A.
B. Colonna. Mr.. Roosevelt confined him.
self to a general advocacy of floating steel
docks. President Dykeman of the New
York Dry Dock Company opposed the grant
ing OF the contract to Clark & Stanfield
without giving others an opportunity to
put in proposals.
Wants to Name a Torpedo Boat.
Representative Fitzgerald of Massachu-
sets today introduced in the House the
following resolution:
Resolved, that the Secretary of the
Navy be requested to name one of the new
torpedo boats the Acton. in honor of the
town which furnished the men who were
the hrst to shed their blood in the cause of
freedom in the war of the revolution"
Admiral sicard's IIl-Health.
Owing to the continued iIl-health of Rear
Admiral Montgomery Sicard, commanding
the North Atlantic squadron, arrangements
are being made for his probable detach-
ment from that duty as soon as it becomes
apparent That such a step is necessary.
Several weeks ago Admiral Sicard asked
fer short leave of absence in consequence
OF a severe attack of malarial fever His
request was granted, and he spent a short
time on shore, with the result that he was
aole 10 resume his duties afioat after only
short season of rest and recuperation.
Ihe exact1ng duties which have devolved
upon him since the disaster to the battle
snip Maine have apparently proved too
much for him in his enfeebled condition.
however, and it is now feared that it will
be necessary either to give him a shore as
s1gnment or else a leave of absence.
In accordance with instructions from
Washington. board of medical survey
will convene today either at Key West or
on board the flagship New York for the
purpose of examining the condition of Ad-
miral Sicard, with the view of determining
the question of his physical fitness to con-
tinue in the discharge of his present onar
Gus and responsible duties. The board will
be composed of Medical Inspector M. C.
Brennan, fleet surgeon of the North Attain
TIC station; Surgeon NJ. M. Ferrebee, at
tached to the battle ship Indiana, and Sur
geon NJ ii. Simons. attached to the battle
snip Iowa. On the report of this board
Will depend the further action of the de-
partment. The Secretary and other high
otnciais have shown great confidence in
the ability and tact Of Admiral Sicard, and
VIII regret the necessity, should it arise. Of
replacing him just at this critical period in
MS nigh station as the commander-in-chfef
OF all the naval forces that would be called
upon to maintain the honor and integrity
OF the United States in the event of a con-
nict with Spain over the Maine affair or in
consequence of the inhuman character of
It's warfare In Cuba. The hope is expressed
that the medical board will report that Adj
mlrai Sicard's illness is only temporary in
character and will probably yield to treat
ment with short leave of absence.
Question of Successor.
Should they report, however that bis
ccndtfon Is somewhat serious it will result
In his formal detachment from the COM
mand OF the squadron and his probable re-
tirement. In view Of the possibility of the
latter course there is considerable specula
ton with regard to his probable successor
In the direction Of active naval operations.
His retirement would create a vacancy in
the list Of commodores. to which Captain
w. T. Sampson. commanding the battle
ship Iowa and president of the Maine court
OF inquiry. would be appointed, thus rails
ing him to the dignity of a flag officer. In
that event Captain Sampson would be en-
titled to command a squadron, and would
necessarily be relieved of command of the
Iowa. There is an abundance of excellent
material for the selection of q new COM
mander OF the North Atlantic SQUADRON
including Rear Admiral Bunce. command.
ant of the New York navy yard: commo-
dore ]. A. Howell, recently in command of
the European squadron and now about to
return to the United States on his flag
snip San Francisco, which is to CONVOY the
new cruiser. New Orleans, formerly the
Amazonas,. across the ocean to New York
or Hampton Roads. Other officers of
slightly lower rank who are mentioned az
likely of selection to the command of the
nome station are Commodore w. 8. SchIev
now on duty In this city as president Of
the light house board. and Captain w. T.
SAMPSON comma ndfnp he To,x,o