New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-31
LETTERS TO EDITOR.
NAVAL CHAPLAINS' GRIEVANCES.
ITY WITH OTHER OFFICERS
OF THEIR RANK.

ETY WITH OTHER OFFICERS
OF THEIR RANK
To the Editor % The Tribune.
Sir: Here are some facts which the people ought
10 know about the injustice practised upon the
chaplans Of the United States Navy: Only twenty
four chaplains allowed by law. This law was
passed in 1892 when there were only ten ships re-
curing chapains Now there twenty Eight such
ships and the enlisted force of the navy has been
Increased from $500 Bill There also twenty
shore stations requiring chapains Commanding
officers writing. but writing in vain. for chap
lains.
The officers of the navy divided into line and
staff The line officers the admirals, captains
lieutenants. etc. those educated at government eN-
pense at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. The
stan officers those selected from civil life. and
are the surgeons. paymasters and chaplans. Now.
these surgeons and paymasters get exactly the
same pay line officers OF the rank but the
chaplains do not. Both the line and staff officers
receive what is called longevity increase" In their
pay. That is. their salary is advanced every five
years a certain amount until 40 per cent is reached
But such allowance is granted to the chaplains
The other officers receive also what is called com
mutation for quarters That is. when they de-
tailed shore duty they either provided with
a furnished house at government expense. value
about $1,000 a certain addition is made to their
salary with which to provide home. and this is
Communication for quarters But the chapains
not favored in this way They must find their own
house and pay the expense of their pocket
and at the time their salary is cut down $500
Surgeons and paymasters ranking captains
eeve 81 500 sea. 1885 shore duty, with al
lowance of So a month for quarters. making their
shore pay equal s4.545 The cha plains. mean
while, of the rank receive but s.. 500
and g 300 shore, all told. Thus the pay of
the chaplans is SLIGO less than the pay of the
other staff officers of the same ranks, and their
shore pay 2.245 less.
Boatswains, gunners carpenters and saimakers
(called warrant officers) after years service
receive pay and allowances shore duty amount
ing 10 s22is. only So year less than the highest
shore pay of the chaplains. Besides. they fur
nshed with eighteen tons of coal a year at the
nominal price of 50 for a ton Of 2.240 pounds.
that their compensation really exceeds that of
chaplain.
The lowest shore pay land he never goes to seal
Of professor of mathematics (whose duties are
together civil is 800 than the highest shore
pay Of chaplain. After fifteen years service the
pay Of a professor of mathematics exceeds the pay
Of chaplain of thirty-fve years service by $500
q year, and besides that, two professors have fur
nished houses. in addition 10 their salaries.
In March, 1899. Congress passed what is called
the Personnel bill BY this the salary of every
officer Of the navy increased with the one ex-
eeption of the chaplains. Thus, as 1t stands now,
the chaplains receive than any of the commits
stoned officers, less than the officers less
than those civil officers whose duties never take
them TO sea. Thus does the government humiIiate
the chaplains before the officers and men. Gripping
in this manner their influence ard discredting their
work
At the same time. living in the same mess with
officers who receive salary exceeding theirs by
per cent. the chaplain mus. share and share alike
Chaplans are the only seagoing staff officers who
rank OF captain All the other staff officers perform
only shore duty after reaching that rank, but
chaplain Is liable 10 sea duty as long as he remains
on the active list; The senior chaplain is at
vice ai'n0Dsh he has been thirty years in the ser
chaplains are the only officers who do not get
he mai off ms IOar ri
shlp. chaplain has the same room. whatever his
The Bureau of Medicine and the Bureau of Sup
pies ana accounts has chief at its head with the
haye no such prizes before them. and special In
IA me service This accounts largely for the great
NUMBER mum, OF resgnations; Two chaplalns appointed
signed within the last six months. They were men
E Mao aputuae Tor tne service; Dut %hen they
uons Of the service as at present managed. they
lain has resigned out of every five appointed. and
unless there is radical Improvement in the treat
ment OF these worthy and important officers the
If the question is asked Why do not the chaplains
assert themselves and demand reformation? the
answer is that the despotism Of the Navy Depart
their own interest Their ree If or T ecnr geP IN
people must befrend Them.
It is an open secret secret that the line officers maintain
and advance their own interests. No such privl-
Iege for the chaplains would be for a moment toll
against the chaplans Some time ago ra Costly com
rnittee kept at Washington by the line officers
throughout the session Of Congress, was asked:
well. what have you TO show for your Work?'
The answer was: we have prevented the chap
i ia from getting one more longevity added TO
their salary This considered satisfactory.
The lobby had earned its money
There has been enough said (and every word Of
rs absolutely true TO make il clear that the people
nave a right TO demand a thorough reform in this
braneh Of the Service An opportunity Is offered
70 effect the needed Improvement. A bill is before
me House of Representatives providing for the
lief or the chaplans But. unfortunately il is meet
frprn he load
and selilsh VIII not the people rally TO its sup
port Let every who reads this article write
10 the member of Congress from his district and
urge favorable action. Letters should also be
written 10 SENATOR Eugene Hale. chairman of the
Senate Committee for Naval Affairs and Repre-
sentative George F. Foss. chairman of the House
session viii close in a few weeks
New-YorE, May Il. 1902