Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-19
MAN BEHIND TIE GUN.
SECRETARY MOODY PLANNING
MOVEMENT IN HIS EEHALF,
A BETTER CHANCE FOR HIM.
Greater Possibility OF Promotion To
the Ranks OF Commissioned oGi-
GERS. Provided the Necessary Elk
anlsnntious Arc pussed-LarGer
Opportunity for Study.

WASHINGTON D. c.. December 20.
| notwithstanding OF the Navy William
H Moody is determined that the mar
behind the gun shall have chance 70 so
higher than the rank of warrant officer.
and that when a man once epIiStS IN t1s
navy there shall be no limit 10 MS I'd
vnncereHt. except his own cap7bili-leS
Mr. Moody mode his position PLATA this
week to the House Committee on Nar1
Affairs by the statement that he wou.d
issue an executive order to the cent
handing officers of all the fleets. IN
structing them to give every encouraEe-
ment and opportunity to warrant o.'i-
GERS who are studying to pass the eS-
amtuations for commissions
No other Secretary OF the Navy has
token such stand and it will no doubt
be a very unpopular one with a great
many American naval officers. II VIII
he remembered that Rear-Admtral 81
liam T. Sampson. in private letter e
Mr.. Long. Secretary Moody's predecessor
advised against granting commissions 70
warrant officers. a the time the state
uent was made. Admiral SIMPSONS lst-
ter expressed the sentiments OF q large
portion of the commiss: oned officers in inc
navy. Though it Is likely that sentiment
his changed somewhat since then, never
theIess. there can be no doubt that
greet mary naval officers believe warrant
officers should not be ambitious to gain
admission 70 the wardroom.
The present law provides that no more
than six warrant officers shall e0ch year
receive commissions. provided they pass
the necessary examinations. Only thee
warrant officers have been commissioned
in the whole history of the navy. liz MS
annual report. Secretary Moody recort-
mended TINT the limit be increased from
six to twelve. II this recommendation
is carried out. which is IikeIy. IL VII
not in itself have much if any. effect.
Irder the present conditions It IS so
difficult for a warrant officer to tit him
self to pass the examinations. that th=re
is little likelihood OF more than SIX re-
ceiviug commissions In a single wear. even
if the limit is raised TO twelve per an
mum.
What is needed in order to make 10
possible for more enlisted men TO ahra!i
commissioned rank is better facilities fo-t
study. In order TO make up what theyA
have lost by not having the adrantasNY
of q course in the Naval AcadeuF var
rant officers have 50 far resortcd larg>- q
iy TO correspondence schools. They mus.a
map out q course of study for themselves
which IS q very difficult matter. y htui
help from a commissioned officer Waof
WIS himself assisted by professors In th3
Naval Academy. would no doubt nave
been boon 10 many warrant ctticer
Studying for a commission
II IS such assistance which Secretary
Moody believes the warrant officers ought
20 have. There are irnumereble WAYS IN
which commissioned officers could lend
helping hand 10 the enlisted men "ho
are trying 70 fit themselves 70 hold high
or rank Mr.. Moody thinks II is 10 more
than just that they should do so. There.
fore he has decided TO instruct them TO
give every possible encouragement and
assistance to warrant officers studying for
commissions
Such viii be the effect of he sEe.i-
tive order that officers who otherwise
would not bother about the matter at
all will feel it their duty 70 Gi%. wnat
help they can to warrant officers IN tnelr
studies. II IS not unlikely that great
many more warrant officers viii receive
commissioned rank. as a result.
COMMITTEE MUCH IMPRESSED
The Naval Affairs Committee has been
very much impressed by Secretary
Moody's manner of presenting the con-
ditions that at present obtain In the navy
Mr.. Noody's discussion of the need foc
more officers YVES so directly 10 he point
that it appeared TO leave no ming no-o
TO be said on the subject. MIR MOODY
simply informed the comritree that II
was ridiculous 70 buiid ships. and rot
have officers TO tnke charge of them, re
favored the Fowler bill 10 double the
number OF appointments TO the Naval
Academy FOR a period OF twelve years
No opposition 20 that measure has yes
developed.