The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-28

tleships, two armored cruisers, six gun
boats, two destroyers. three torpedo beats
one transport. and two training ships.
| We are glad that Mr.. Long has de-
livered himself as vigorously as he las
on the subject of the antiquated staff
| system, remains of which are still an
injury and nuisance to his department.
The following will explain his view, which
is sensible and business like, and which
| We trust Congress will adopt. in spite of
the underhand influences which will be
brought to bear upon the naval commit
tees to defeat the -Secretary's purpose:
THE Recommendation heretofore made that the
| organization of the Navy Department be smplifed
by the consolidation of the three Bureaus of Con-
struction and Repair, Steam Engineering. and
! Equipment is renewed. Under the present SYSTEM
/ from the inception of its design until completed
| and placed in commission, the plans and specfca-
tons Of naval vessel in the hands of three
bureaus. each with distinct organization, each
having exclusive jurisdiction within certain lines
| and all charged with the duty Of carrying on
work within. but not beyond, their respective pro-
rinccs, as nearly may be at the same time.
''such system is, in practical administration.
cumbrous and expensive and from its very nature
tends to develop controversies respecting the scope
OF each bureaus duties and to occasion friction,
l
| approaches border lines of Jurisdiction. 1t is to
| the credit of the officers in charge of the bu-
reans concerned mat work upon ships now under
| construction has been carried on without more
frtton but the system itself is none the less OBJ
lectionab!e. and il source of Inconvenience, de-
| lay. largely increased cost, and OCCASIONAL con-
| fusion.
| The present divided organization is the out.
| growth of conditions which no longer exist. The
hull. the propelling machinery. and the articles
OF equipment of modern steamship no longer
constitute simple, distinct. and separabe elements
| in construction. but. on The contrary in their
multiplicity of details are SO interviewer as to
| der embarrassing their supervision by three sets
Of independent administrative officials.
| The Enion of these three bureaus, the chief
| function of which is to deal with the material of
ship. into one bureau. which might appropriate.
~ be called the bureau of ships; the consolidation
OF their several corps of assistants and inspec-
tons. and the conduct Of the really integral work
of building ard equipping vessels. under the man.
agement of one responsible chief instead of three
chiefs would promote the efficient and economical
administration OF this important part of the bust
| ness of the Navy Department"
Every friend of the navy will join
heartily with Secretary Long in his hope
that Congress will do away with the pres
ent crazy-quilt system of rewards for GAL
lantry and distinguished service, and SUBJ
| stitute another which will be national,
inexpensive. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS it will
| apply to on-commissioned officers and
enlisted men as well as to their supe-
riors-and will not, like the present one.
work injustice to worthy servants Of the
| State. On this subject Mr.. Long says:
section 1906 OF the Revised Statutes provides
| that any officer Of the navy may by and
| with the advice and consent Of the Senate be
| advanced not exceeding thirty numbers in rank
! 1ift,nu Ix.ttI
| or extraordinary heroism,' and Section 1907 au-
| thorizes such advancement to a higher grade.
! Notwithstanding the number OF said grade may
| be full, but upon the express condition that no
further promotions shall take place in that grade,
! except for like cause. until the number is re.
| duccd to that provided by law
| IN those two sections. and in provisions with
| respect to the Marine Corps. found in Sections
| 1860 and 1906 of the Revised Statutes, is sub
| stantlally embodied the present system of re-
! warding officers for exceptional services in the
line OF their duties. This system of rewards has
] been found to be unsatisfactory. since in its
| practical application il operates unjistly and
in sorne instances defeats the purposes for which
| IT was devised. 1t provides for partial rear
rangement of the navy list, whenever rewards are
conferred. by the advancement of certain Off
GERS over the heads of others, and therefore
| necessarily operates to the damage of the latter
| by delaying their promotion.
The Government. in thus bestouing upon
| some officers the rewards prescribed by statute
| for meritorious conduct. at the same time in
| directly levics upon Others who had not the
| privilege of choosing their field of service and
| were discharging their duties elsewhere an an
| nual contribution for the benefit OF the officers
advanced. This is not condition TO be de-
sired either by the benefciaries by the suffer
| under the system.
Conspicuous acts OF valor in battle and cx-
| ceptional and self-sacriicing devotion to duty
| displayed by officers and in time Of public
; danger should be appropriately acknowledged and
rewarded but when such services are rendered
10 the nation rewards therefor ought to from
the nation
'Honors and emoluments." declares the
Secretary. fought not to be taken from
brother officers guilty OF no fault" Yet
ii appears from an inspection of the navy
list that while some of the officers who
rendered distinguished services during the
war with Spain have been promoted, others
have received no reward of any kind.
Others still, by the curious operation OF
the existing system, find themselves ac-
tually in lower relative positions than they
occupied before the war began" Mr. Long
recommends that Congress either pass
bill now before it Senate 800, Fifty-sixth
Congressl, which provides that advance
ment in rank of officers in the Navy and
Marine Corps for war service shall not
interfere with the regular promotion Q.
these otherwise entitled to it, or, enact
the law proposed in House bill 1902. ito
provide rewards for officers and men of
the navy and Marine Corps This bill
authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to
cause to be prepared for bestowal upon Of
fcers and men deserving of special recog-
niticn medals of three classes, as follows:
1.-The honor medal TO be presented by the
President, for eminent and conspicuous conduct in
battle, or other dangerous public emergency: To
be awarded only upon the Recommendation of a
board OF officers authorized to enquire into the
merits of each case, empowered TO administer
oaths TO Witnesses, and required to report all the
particulars oil the act for which the award is
recommended. II is provided that the honor
medal shall carry with il a small annual Increase
OF pay.
The courage medal to he presented by
the Secretary of the Navy, for distinguished con
duct in the presence of the enemy or cxtraordi.
nary heroisin at any time
'3.-The service medal to be presented Iy the
Secretary OF the Navy, for distinguished public
service in time of war;
The Secretary thinks that, should Con-
gress pass the medal bill. its operation
should be made retroactive to the extent
OF including officers and men who are en-
titled to honOrs for the Part they took in
the Spanish war. and we presume the
marines and bluejackets who have made
a brilliant record and add fresh iustre
TO our arms, in China, would not be for
gotten. The annual report of Secretary
Long is in all respects thoroughly COM
mendable performance upon which we are
glad to congratulate him most cordially.
Evidently somebody is trying TO per-