New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
TFRom THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington, November
FRFsH-wATER TARS WANTED.-The Navy
soenartment is entering upon a thorough campaign
20 obtain men for the naval service When trafic
closes for the winter the Great Lakes many
men who have served the lake carriers are
available for the navy. and with r view OF OBJ
tanning such men itineraries OF lake ports have
been arranged for recruiting parties. one or
which Will mako its headquarters in Buffalo and
the other in Chicago. There will be issued shortly
from the bureau OF navigation illustrated
pamphlet aid 10 naval recruiting The COM
pilation will contain all the information Of value
20 those who contemplating an enlistment in
the naval service. a design has been made for the
front and back covers OF the book the former be-
ing Photographic reproductions of Caster at arms
snd q boatswain, with a group picture OF the
officers and Of the battleshp Illinois. a de-
sign has also been prepared for use in newspaper
advertisements Of the recruiting parties 1t is in
tended TO use. far possible. newspaper pub
; KIN a9 10 cut a9Tn TO S%TTe s aTsIg 9
r1oent OF naval recruiting heretofore
GENERAL HUMPHREYS RECOMMENDA-
TIoNS-Brigadier General c F. Humphrey Quar-
termaster General. fl his annual report TO the
secretary OF War. complains Of the inadequate
humber OF cuartermasters now provided by law
and greatly depleted civilian force in the quar-
.erInaster generals Office. General Humphrey says
that careful and exhaustive compilation OF eX-
yenditures made on account OF the army trans
port service during the fiscal year. embracing all
expenditures which be properly charged against
the army transport service, shows that there has
been expended 024 The value OF the work per
formed by the army transports on the basis of the
lowest obtainable offered for the same service
he says was Az go. difference in favor OF
the army transport service OF $5Ss236. The report
sdds,:
In considering this report on the cost to the
government Of the army transport service it is
70 be borne IN mind that the earnings have In ad-
oition to supporting the service and leaving
gin OF SS9s 2S5. also kept in good condition The
serve fleets in san Francisco and New-York har-
pors. which have been aVallab Die all times for
any service which they might be called upon
perform. The total cost OF caring Tor these idle
transports has been 1926. fH2 which in the above
statement has been charged against the army
transport service.
confirm ana emphasize the views expressed iii my
last annual report 10 the utility. economy and
necessity OF the army transport system and the
wisdom OF continuing our present policy in its
operation.
The quartermaster general recommends the con-
stluction Of a bridge across the Potomac. giving
direct communication between the government res
erYatlons at Arlington and Fort Myer with the
City OF Washington. which structure. he says,
should be memorial in character.
A recommendation for fifty additional post quar-
terTlaster sergeants is made General Humphrey
says general service corps is desirable on the
grounds Of efficiency, economy and discipline. In
time Of war or in emergency such a corps would
Furnish body OF trained TO instruct and
direct appoHtees from civil life and civilian EN-
ployes- Some conservative and practical plan look
Ing TO the retirement of superannuated employees
Of the government is also favored. 1t will not do
service the employees should have sufficient to pro
vide competence for old age adding: Cavern
Enent salaries and Washington living expenses are
not conducive to af1uence"