New-York tribune., 1905-01-02
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
IERon THE TRIBUNE sUREAU.I

IFRoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.I
Washington Jan. l.
NAVAL WIRELESS wAR.-The NIarconi agents
have renewed the fight with the Naval Bureau
Of Equipment. The charges OF unfair discriuinz-
ton nave been repeated. and IL promised that
every effort will be made to block the department.
bill, which goes to Congress next week. providing
that the Navy Department shall have control over
the wireless telegraphy systems along the coast
There has been mucn delay in the introduction OF
the bill, the draft Of which was prepared last
summer, with the expectation that II would bs
sent to the House and Senate Naval committees
early in the present session
Some ore in the department appears to have
neglected his duty, for the bill was completely
forgotten until members OF the Government Wire
less Eoard. OF which Rear Admiral Evans the
president. called attention the failure OF ths
Secretary OF the Navy II submit the bill to Con-
gress. The delay has given opportunity for op-
position to tho measure. the terms OF which would
do do much 70 injure the monopoly Of the CONNER
The Navy Department is firm in It's deteruina-
~ - S . me shtll h0I cornInt user
excepting the Marconi from AT the government
less stations have been recording an Narconi
messages from the Cape Cod station. showing
tAaI u Is possible 10 receive them from the Mar
conf instruments despite the assertion to the
dghi has been Carried to the PresIdeaf who hs
declined to interfere with the policy OF the Navy
The detachment Of Lieutenant Commander J. W.
viTaJes tesSrs5b ~ on % N 1b "a tns
distinct loss to that work at this time iIs IA
waters BY Which forid cuba Sl0S and the Thmgs
on bs F1a1m9 1a s6 are being contested and dSsopsd
Me, and Galveston. Tex He has been the head
1t is likely that Commander Jayne while on duty
with the Colorado in Southern waters, viii have
will be test next Week OF the vsireIess system l1
stalled on a torpedo boat destroyer. and II st Is
found TO work satisfactorily II will be placed
board other boats OF that class.
POST EXCHANGES NOT EXCIUsIvE.-Ths
agitation by the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union and other enthusiasts intended to operate
against the Of the post exchanges at army
es. is not expected to have any perceptibIe effect
on Congress far interfering with the annual
appropriation OF $4,000 for the construction ct
post exchanges There has been appropriated so far
for this purpose S50OO00 and 1t is estimated that
another 100000 will furnish all the army posts IN
this country and abroad with the post exchanges
which needed II is possible there viii be
some legislation limiting the OF post exchanges
TO enlisted men. but IL such thing Is cOltem-
plated seriously by the military committees the
War Department will probably interpose obJeo-
tion pointing that 1t is desirable that the post
exchanges should be open TO officers, on occasion
at least
Representatives of the W. C. T. U. IN washins1
ton have decided to make Of the reports
ceived from General Grant, at Governors Island.
and will present them 10 Congress evidence that
the post exchanges supposed to be erected for the
benefit OF the enlisted men. habitually occupied
by commissioned officers and their families, and
used officers clubs 1t is also alleged that thers
| The War Department authorities are sxasperated
at any such construction Of the reports from Cow
ernor's Island The Womans Army and Navy
tertal and has in preparation a monster petition
which will represent feminine views another sida
of the question of the post exchange and It's chies
therefore Of an interesting hight over the QUESTION
of re-establshing the canteen. although few mill
thing in that direction in the course OF the presana
short session OF Congress-
| CEIIBATEs FOR HOSPITAL CORPs-Ths ex-
animation OF privates OF the hospital for tbs
| position OF sergeants finds imposed upon the can
| didates the qualification of bacheIOrhoOd No mar
| ried man who Is a private in the hospital corps
will be considered eligible 10 take the examination.
In the higher positions IN the hospital corps the
rule will obtain less strictly. but the preference will
/ always be for unmarried men The surgeon gem
eral Of the army has adopted this rule, account
of the difficulty OF making unconditional transfers
from one station TO another when the men ara
| married The question always comes up OF pro-
viding quarters for the families of married enlisted
men, and throughout the service 1t has been found
| that in the long travels that were involved in
changing OF stations, specially when the transfer
includes travel and -ations in Alaska and the
Phfippines the wives Of the soldiers sometimes OBJ
Where ii is desirable 10 retain them in the service
1t found difficult to adjust air the conditions to
motion in the hospital corps and other branches
OF the army among the enlisted force will be con-
fined, as far possible. TO those uneneum0srsd
with families
| MILITARY OLD CLOTHES MEN.-The military
authorities have been trying for some time to OBJ
tain a case which would test the effect OF the law
which prohibits the sale or purchase Of army uni
forms The law seems 70 be defective in phrassot-
ogy to the extent that 1t specifically provides no
punishment purchaser Of the clothing Of en-
listed men but does authorize the seizure OF such
clothing and the arrest and punishment OF the Of
/ Tending seller, when he is a soldier. For some
/ time the army authorities have been waiting 1or
on ODportunity arrest a civilian purchaser anu
bring him into court with the idea OF testing this
law il being inferred that II there IS law pro-
hibttine, the sale by soldier OF his uniform and
authorfzing the seizure of such clothing. then II
NAV he possible punish the civilian buyer such
| q case has now been presented near Fort 1eaVen-
/ worth Kan and it is proposed to bring the CIV
itsn 70 Justice in an effort ascertain from tbs
court Just how far the law extends.
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