Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-06
Secretary Longs Letter to the Naval
Committees.
INJUSTICE SUFFERED BY CAPT. CLARK
Is Lower Now Than He Was
Before the War.
A N H o n R NJ E D A l.


ing letter to the chairmen of the committee
of naval affairs OF the Senate and of the
=. House. zsmbodying the departments latest
view as to the best means of rewarding
the naval officers who participated In the
destruction Of Cervera's fleet on Santiago:
Case of Capt. Clark.
Sir: The department has the honor to
suggest that the present system of reward
ing officers of the navy and Marine Corps
for eminent and conspicuous conduct In
battle and extraordinary heroism,' under
the provisions, respectively. Of sections 1906
and 1873 of the Revised Statutes, has been
found to be unsatisfactory, since In its
practical application 1t operates un1ustiy
Stand-in se1le instances defeats the purpose
for which il was devised
AT the present time some officers who
rendered distinguished services during the
war with Spain have. in recognition there
Of. been advanced upon the list: others re-
main without reward of any kind; while
Others still, by the curious operation OF
the existing system, find themselves in
lower relative positions than they occupied
before the war of 1SgS. in which they so
calamity participated. An Illustration of
the Objectionable operation of the present
method of rewards is afforded by the case
of Captain Charles E. Clark. United States
navy, who commanded the Oregon during
the memorable run of that vessel from Pa
clffc to Atlantic waters, and at the bat
tie of Santiago, and yet. owing to the pro-
motion over MIN or captains IIlluieS, SpSH-
Ian and Dyer, for their eminent and con-
spicuods conduct In the battle of Manila
- bay, is today two numbers, and Captain
Gridley had survived would be three num-
bers. lower on the list than If the war had
never occurred.
The vigilance, prudence and capacity,
unren1itting and sustained, wisely meeting
as they successfully arise the countless
details of the management of a battle ship.
establishing and maintaining the morale es-
sential to good work and bringing the yes
sci into effective action at critical time,
qualities which entitle an officer to
share in rewards, if any are given, for dis
tinguished naval service. These qualities
are exhibited r. high degree by the Off
. GERS participating in the battle of Manila.
who have been rewarded by advancement
on the navy list. They were also exhibited
so conSplcuouSly and mer1torfouSly partic-
ipated in the battle of Santiago. and yet
have not In any way been rewarded.
Remedy Suggested.
Where officers have bravely and with
Jealous patriotism acquitted themselves in
difficult circumstances with uniform sue
cess. analytical comparison of their re-
spective achievements is practically impos-
sible. since all the varied circumstances of
the several cases can hardly be taken into
full and accurate account. 1t Is. however,
deemed to be the duty of the department to
bring to the attention of the committee.
with the recommendation that early action
be taken by Congress in the matter, the
general question of the inadequacy of the
present system of rewards and to suggest
that remedy is to be found in the provis-
ions OF certain measures now before Con-
gress
One Of these q. e., the bill S. 800. Fifty
sixth Congress. first SESSION. provides that
p the advancement in rank of officers of the
navy and Marine Corps for war service
shall not interfere with the regular promo
ton OF Off .eTs otherwise entitled thereto.
This measure is similar to S. 50O6, Fifty
. fifth Congress, third session. which was
prepared by the department.. and has, l
: am Informed. already passed the Senate at
Its present session. and if enacted into law
Z will in the case above cited, for example.
have the effect Of restoring TO the officer
concerned the numbers lost by advance
ments heretofore made under the present
system.
The Honor Medal.
The other Of these is bill s. 1905. Fifty
fifth Congress. third session. providing for
suitable rewards for officers and men of
the navy and Marine Corps for exceptional
and meritoriOus service in the line of duty
This measure is believed to afford a sat
-isfactory substitute for the present method
Of rewards, would enable the department
to confer upon the officers above referred
= 10 the medal therein designated as the
honor medal with its attendant advan-
tages and benefits. and would, it is thought,
provide equitable recognition in the cases
Of other officers Of the navy entitled there
70 by reason of exceptional service in the
line of duty.
- DEMONSTRATION of the Importance of
this general question the department urg-
r. emily requests that it may receive such
early attention of the committee as it's con-
-venience will suggest"
To Replace an Unjust System
Secretary Long. in his recent annual re-
port TO the President. strongly urged the
adoption of new system of rewards. He
said:
The department renews it's recommended
ton of last year for a change in the pres
ent law for rewarding officers for conspic-
uous conduct In battle and for extraorGi-
nary heroism- The injustice of the pres
ent system is apparent The promotion of
an officer over lEe heads of other officers
operates as a reduction of the latter in
rank and also delays them in securing the
Increased pay which accompanies regular
= rise in grade In other words the promo
ton is made not at the expense of the gov
- errment. which should bear IT. but at the
expense of the unfortunate officers who are
oYerslaughed AMI who are thus punished,
although faithful TO every duty and only
unfortunate in lacking the opportunity for
conspicuous conduct or heroism
The spirit of the navy Is so good that
i am sure this Is painful to the officer pro-
NOTED as well as the officer reduced The
department therefore again urges that leg
isiation be enacted providing that advance
rnent IN rank for services rendered during
the war with Spain shall not interfere with
the regular promotion of officers otherwise
sLt1ltleu 70 prOmOtlon. and that officers so
advanced to higher grade by reason Of war
service shall be carried as additional to
the numbers In each grade to which they
have been promoted The department sub
fnltted 10 Congress at its last session bin
substantially TO this effect. which Is printed
as Senate bill No. $685. and 10 which at
tention is invited
II reward by the present system of pro-
Hlouoh Is abandoned, as above suggested
the department renews its suggestion en-
bodied IN Senate bill Ju5, introduced al the
last session OF Congress. which provides for
medals of three classes-one for conspicu-
Gus conduct in war. one for extraordinary
herolsm and one for general meritorious
serFlce-the hrst to carry with 1t percen-
tass@ OF increase of pay. based upon the
RANK OF the recipient, and calculated to
take the place of the increase which would
De the result of promotion were that form
OF reward continued. 1t Is believed that
such medal, worn during life and trans
mltted as an inheritance. will be far more
grateful TO deserving officer than a nro-
motion in rank at the expense of a com
rade." ~