The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-26

tee at the last session of congress, be
promptly taken up on the reassembling
of congress and passed. This bill was
reported to the house as a substitute
for house bill No 77443. which was
drafted by a board appointed by the
department, consisting of the then as
sistant secretary of the navy, Theodore
Roosevelt, as chairman, and number
of officers of the line and the engineer
corps as members
The bill provides
l. For the amalgamation Of the Off
GERS of the line and the engineer corps
Of the navy.
>. For an increase Of 80 officers in the
new line of the navy.
3. For regular and constant flow Of
promotion.
A. For a rea djustment of the numbers
in the different grades Of the construc-
ton corps.
5; For the retirement of officers who
served creditably during the civil war
in the next higher grade.
G. For a change in the title of naval
cadet to that Of midshipman.
Z. That the course at the naval acad-
envy be decreased from six to four
years.
8. For the appointment of 100 war
rant machinists.
9. That the pay of the new line of the
navy shall be the same as that of Off
GERS of the marine corps or infantry Of
the army
10. That the term of enlistment be
increased to four years, and that all
enlisted men of the navy shall have all
the privileges now granted by law to
enlisted men of the army and marine
corps
IL. For a reorganization of the marine
corps
The amalgamation of the officers of
the line and engineer corps is a natural
evolution, and involves no radical de-
parture in the education of officers. 1t
removes causes Of friction and jeal-
ousy it makes officers of the line ca
pable of doing duty in the engine room
as well as on deck and officers of the
engineer force capable Of taking a turn
of watch duty or fighting the ship
should it become necessary"
The secretary has this to say about
the reward of officers
THE injustice of the present system
of rewarding officers for conspicuous
conduct in battle and extraordinary he
hoism is so apparent that the depart
ment desires to set before congress the
facts in full and to recommend a
change in the present law on this sub
ject.
AS result of the recent war Ger
tain officers of the navy who deserved
reward, and who under existing law
could have 1T in no other way. were
promoted over the heads of their broth
er officers who, by reason of the ne
cessity for their services on other duty
not less important, had no chance to
participate in the battles of Manila and
Santiago This worked a hardship i'm
many cases, and in some instances pre-
vented officers who are of great desert
from the chance of reaching the highest
grade of the navy
The promotion Of certain captains
VINO participated in the battle of San
uago renders 1t practically certain that
others Will be retired as commodoras
who, in the ordinary course of promo
ton, would otherwise have reached the
grade OF rear admiral and been retired
as Such. This will make a difference
IN the retired pay of these officers of
sou year in each case, and is indeed
a direct punishment to them. Whereas.
having performed arduous duties dur-
ing the period of the war in a highly
eHiclent manner, they are rather en-
titled to be rewarded
The navy, says the secretary. should
be Increased, and the board of construc-
ton recommends the following.
!. Three seagoing sheathed and CON
pered battleships, of about 1850 tons
trial displacement, carrying the beay-
lest armor and most powerful ordnance
for vessels Of their class. and TO have
the highest practicable speed and great
radius OF action. Estimated cost ex
elusive of armor and armament 81
200 each. Y''
:. Three sheathed and copDered ar
mored cruisers of about L. 600 tons trial
displacement carrying the heaviest ar
NOR and most powerful ordnance fo,.
vessels Of their class. and to have The
highest practicable speed and great
radius of action. Estimated cost ex
elusive of armor and armament. 81 600
600 each
g. Three sheathed and coppered pro
tected cruisers of about 5000 tons trial
displacement; to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius Of ac
tion and to carry the most powerful
ordnance suitable for vessels of their
class. Estimated cost, exclusive of ar
NOR and armament. 81, 150 900 each
4. Six sheathed and coppered cruisers
of about $500 tons trial displacement.
to have the highest speed compatible
with good cruising qualities, great ra-
dius of action, and to carry the most
powerful ordnance suited to vessels of
their class. Estimated cost, exclusive