New-York tribune., 1902-07-10
THE REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE.
GREAT IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED UNDER
THE NEW LAW.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRrBuSE.I

fBT TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE.I
washington, July s.-An important act of the
East session of Congress which has now been put
Unto effect is that for the promotion of efficiency in
sthe revenue cutter service. which had for thirty
years operated under great disadvantages. i'm
fposed by antiQuated laws unsuited TO the duties
performed by this valuable auxiliary. insufficient
kpay. hard work until death, with no pension for
sage infrmity under the law had discouraged the
ientrsnce OF ambitious and intelligent young men
ktnto the service. But the creditable manner in
(which the personnel acquitted Itself in 1898 at
tfracted the favorable attention OF Congress, and
fdespite the antagonism from the navy. the service
thas at last received full recognition. The new
Legislation gives the officers positive rank
Tin peace well in war. and assimilabe with
fthe various grades of the navy. It increases the
pay TO that Of the army making difference be-
tween and shore pay, and 1T establishes re-
tired list three-ouarters pay for all VINO reach
sixty-four years or who are incapacitateo ioF
active duty by disabilities incident to the service
Hereafter in the cutter service the captains will
frank With army majors and navy lieutenant COM
nenders; the first leutenAnts with army captains
and navy lfeutenants; the second leutenents with
army first neutenants and navy leutenants. junior
ssrade, and the third neutenants with army second
Slieutensnts and navy ensigns. The revenue cutter
icaptains received $500 sfioat and sS0 ashoFe'
but hereafter they will have $500, and the COM
,pensations OF the lower grades proportionally
Increased In time OF war. when cooperating with
1.-THE navy. the revenue cutters officers Will take
frank Immediately below naval officers OF the statu-
Itory aEsimilable grade.
A few years ago officers as old ninety and
sseveral who had passed seventy were still on active
sduty, and last year there were captains anoat
seventy years OF age although in the regular navy
soficers are forced into retirement at siXty-two
sJJnder the new order retired list OF forty-six old
officers has already been established including
nseyen captains and four chief engineers who, al
rhough over sixty-four years old. were still per-
rorming sea service. The law makes no
1change in the personnel of the engineer corps OF
zhe service except 10 make the rank positive ana
the emoluments the same as those of the line onl-
As notable result Of the improved condition and
rospecs OF the service If is announced that forty
eight young have already taken the examina-
tion before the Civil Service Commission for the
awenty vacancies the bottom OF the list. Those
who pass the entrance requirements make a two
gears practice cruise cadets and are examined
on professional subjects before receiving commits
sions third lieutenants or second assistant en-
2fneerS.
! The officers Of the service emphatic in their
fondness for Admiral Melville, engineer-in-chief OF
the navy, who appeared before the committee of
congress and fearlessly championed their cause
for the last two years. arguing for the legislation
simple justice those whom rested such
responsibilities. To-day the made him a
gift OF a massive silver loving cup of five pints
capacity, with this inscription one OF its panels