Evening star., 1901-10-28
THE MARINE CORPS
It's High Reputation for Efficiency
Maintained.
ANNUAL REPORT BRIG. GEN. HEYWOOD
Urges the Necessity for an In
crease to 10000 Men.
INSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS

Charles Haywood renews a former recon-
mendation that Congress make the rank
of the commandant of the Marine Corps
that of major general. This recommenda-
tion is embarrassing to the general, mas
much as such action woald result in his
own promotion, but he points out that the
present authorized strength of the corps
6,062 men-alone entities the commandant
to the rank of major general, for the army
regulations provide that the appropriate
command for a major general is four regi-
ments, or 4,SO0 men. Moreover. he calls
attention to the fact that all the bureau
chiefs of the Navy Department have the
rank of rear admiral. which assinilates to
that of major general in the army. Cen
eral Haywood recommends that the law
providing that officers of the navy who
served with honor during the civil war may
retire with the next higher rank be ex-
tended to the Marine Corps. 1t is no more
than just, he says, that the few old officers
left in the corps, who stood shoulder to
shoulder with those in the navy during the
war Of the rebellion, be given the same
consideration.
Need for an Increased Corps.
Referring to the condition and needs CT
the Marine Corps, General Haywood says,
in part:
81 have the honor to renew the recon-
mendation contained in my last annual re-
port that Congress be asked to increase the
strength of the Marine Corps to 10000 men
and the appropriate number of officers, to
enable the corps to meet the constantly
increasing demands upon it for service at
the home stations, on board ship. and in
our colonial possessions. During the year
a marine post has been established at Dry
Tortugas, Fla, and, as stated elsewhere in
this report six new posts have been eStab-
lished in the Philippines, making in all
fourteen stations where marines are Sery-
ing in those islands,
ITO supply the pressing and increasing
demands Of the growing navy and for ma
rines on board ship, and to guard the
numerous navy yards and stations in this
country and our colonial possessions and
those to be established in the future the
strength above recommended is none too
great, and, in fact, it is probable that even
a much larger number, probably 10000. " ill
in time be required when the navy, is fur
ther increased and the entire system. of
naval stations has been established in the
Philippines and other island possessions
With the present strength of the corps and
the calls now made upon it, the duty upon
the men is as hard as it was before the
corps was increased, and more arduouS
than in the army of this and other coun-
tries
"Since the passage of the act of Congress
approved March 8, 1899, it has been possi-
BILE for meritorious commissioned Off
GERS of the Marine Corps to be promoted
to the rank of second lieutenant in the
corps, and four on-commissoned officers
have been so advanced The fact that it is
possible to earn advancement to commits
stoned rank has undoubtedly induced many
excellent young men to enter the corps.
There are at present eight non-commis-
stoned officers on the waiting list to be ex-
amined for promotion to the rank of sec
ond lieutenant and their examination has
been ordered to take place on November
Or moi
in the rank of second lieutenant and when
the promotions are made to fill vacancies
now existing in the higher ranks there will
be in all fifteen vacancies in the rank Of
second lieutenant.
Appointment of Officers.
During the past year there have been
eight appointments to the rank of second
lieutenant in the corps-six from civil life
and two from meritorous non commits
stoned officers of the Marine Corps, under
the provisions Of the act of Congress ap-
proved March 3, 1899. At the present time
there are fifteen vacancies in the list Of
officers, as follows: Four captains, three
first lieutenants and eight second lieuten-
ants.
Attention is respectfully invited to the
fact that for the past two years there has
been no appointment to the Marine Corps
from the graduating class of the Naval
Academy. although the act Of Congress ap-
shall be at least one appointment into the
Marine Corps from the graduating class
of the academy each year. 1t is respect
fully urged that, in compliance with this
provision of law, the Marine Corps be given
It's quota of officers from the Naval Acad-
emy, as they are greatly needed.
Instruction of Omcers.
'It is intended this year to re-establish
at the School of Application in washington
city class for the instruction of non-com-
missioned officers, as well as special class
for the instruction Of applicants for pro-
motion to the rank of gunnery sergeant, 1t
having been determined by the brigadier
general commandant not to appoint any
more men to the rank of gunnery sergeant
until they have had the benefit Of special
course of instruction to insure their eff
cheney before advancement. This class will
be composed Of those sergeants who have
been recommended by their commanding
officers for promotion to the rank of gum
merry sergeant, and whose records are such
as to indicate that they will be efficient in
that rank after they have received the nee
essary technical instruction.
"An effort was made this spring to find
some waste land In the vicinity Of Wash
tngtons In order to give the class at the
School of Application and the enlisted men
proper instruction In throwing up intrench-
ments and any other field work, but suit
able tract could not be found In time to
carry out this intention before the close of
Inc CouTSe dt Inc SCHOOL. ATTauSSmentS
will be made next spring to secure a tract
of land, and have the officers and men go
into camp for course of practical instruc-
ton.
Quarters for Marines.
Last year in my report I referred to the
appropriation by Congress of 81, 500 for the
erection of a building at the marine bar
racks, Washington. D. c., for the use Of
the Marine Band and for enlisted mems
quarters, and stated that the work on such
building was progressing satisfactorily.
This work has now been entirely completed
and the building is occupied for the pur-
poses for which 1t was intended. The tower
floor is one large room which is used as
practice room for the band, and the upper
story gives very comfortable additional
dormtory space for about fifty men. In
addition to this the room formerly used by
the band for practice is made available for
the use as dormitories. Numerous minor
repairs have been made toithe marine bar
racks, Washington, d. c., including i'm
provements to plumbing, porches and ex-
terror paint work, and the barracks is now
IN good condition, considering its age.
The marine barracks, navy yard, Wash
ington. y. G.. is In good condition the only