The Washington times., 1902-07-08
Circular Letter on Subject
Sent Out by Secre-
tary Moody.
POINTED QUESTIONS ASKED
Preparing to Garry Into Effect Intention
to Reduce Number of Officers Now
Detailed to Shore Duty - Should
Spend More Time Afloat.

Secretary Moody has begun in earnest
preparations for carrying into effect his
intention to reduce the number of naval
officers on shore duty. While he be-
lieves that a certain amount of shore
service is necessary to the proper pro-
fessional education Of an officer. he is
convinced that every man holding COM
mission in the navy should spend most
of his time at sea, and the indications
are that shore details hereafter will
come seldom, and be of very short du-
ration. except among high ranking Of
fcers for whom sea commands cannot
be provided.
To help him in carrying out this pol
icy, the Secretary has prepared cir
cular letter, copy of which will be
addressed TO every naval officer on duty
in Washington, and at every navy yard
and naval station, with the object of as
certaining the sentiment of the person
mel of the service in regard to the ne
cessity of keeping officers ashore.
In this letter Mr. Moody asks each
officer number of questions. One Of
these is whether the officer addressed
cannot conveniently perform the duties
TO which he has been assigned in COM
bination with the duties performed by
scme other officer or officers at the
same place. without detriment to the
service or danger of being overworked.
Too Many Officers Ashore.
Mr.. Moody is apparently of the orin-
ion that ii does not require nearly so
many officers TO do the work now be-
ing done at the various shore stations.
He asks also whether a civilion could
not just as well perform the duties Of
the officer addressed
A great majority of the answers to
this question will probably be in the
negative. as many officers ashore are
performing duties which require ability
of a high character, and professional
knowledge that comes of experience in
naval work.
Another question is likely to prove
factor to many officers. Mr.
Moody asks each officer ashore If
he does not think that the interest of
the service requires that he should go
to sea. This is matter which can
probably be decided by most officers
only after an examination of conscience,
but the Secretary has sufficient conf
dence in the sense of duty prevailing in
the service to believe that generally it
Will be answered honestly and unselfsh-
ly.
Officers on Waiting Orders.
The old system OF placing officers on
waiting orders with reduced pay, when
there is no work for them to do at sea
or on shore, will probably be revived
when Mr.. Moody carries his new policy
into effect. This will apply principally
TO officers who have reached command
rank, as nearly all the Junior officers
can be provided for on ships il commits
sion
In the English and some of the other
European naval services, Junior officers |
are seldom given shore details. and to |
this is largely due the fact that officers
OF the great naval powers seldom marry |
until they are well along in life. Most |
American naval officers marry early. but |
whether there will be a change in this
regard when Mr.. Moody puts his plans
into operation remains to be seen.