New-York tribune., 1906-12-07
SCHEME FOR PERSONNEL.
Boards Plan ProUides for More Of
fcers and Regular Promotion.

Washington. Dec. e-"An examination of the navy
list discloses condition Of affairs under the pres
ent law that seriously affects the efficiency of the
service and constitutes q grave menace, II not q
positive danger 10 the public interests
This statement sums up briefly the decision Of
the navy personnel board under the presidency OF
Assistant Secretary Newberry. The board was ap
pointed last August 10 suggest such notifications
IN the law affecting the commissioned personnel
OF the navy as might seem 10 It advisable.
The boards recommendations offer remedy for
serious evils IN the line. namely the absence OF
opportunity for officers of flag rank to become
familiar by actual experience with their duties
commanders Of fleets, divisions squadrons IN
the short time between their promotion and their
retirement for age, and also impending period
OF great stagnation IN promotion. AS an inustra-
ton OF what is likely 70 happen, the board says
that unless Congress takes immediate action the
lower grades OF the service Will become
gested that midshipman now in one OF the lower
classes at Annapolis may possibly not be promoted
10 lieutenant until he is between fortyfve and fifty
years old. This situation is brought about by the
fact that Congress has authorized considerable
increase in the number OF midshipnen at the Naval
Academy and these midshipmen graduation are
promoted TO ensign and lieutenant Gunior grade),
but no provision was made for a corresponding in
crease IN the upper grades.
The details OF the boards scheme have been care
fully worked out TO the minimum number Of
officers required the feet. the number OF officers
in each grade, the length of time TO be spent in
each grade all being based upon the experience Of
years and upon modern requirements. The scheme
IS automatic IN its action. being constantly regu-
lated that there sudden flights OF promo
ton long periods OF service in grade.
The board regards IT as Of the utmost importance
that there should be three vice-admIrals and TWEEN
ty-one rear adnlraIs the active list. the vice
admirals 10 be increased in number by for
every increase Of the personnel by eight thousand.
The active list Of the line officers. It Is
mended should consist OF sea-going list OF fifteen
hundred officers below flag rank. plus those carried
as additional numbers. The present list II is de-
clared, should be increased accordingly by more
than seventy-f five numbers annually. IN addition
the vacancies normally created during the year,
until the total number on the sea-gOing list be at
tanned
The report also recommends the formation Of
reserve list OF officers for shore duty with the pay
and allowances now given 10 officers shore duty
Ia order. however, 10 prevent Of officers
upon the reserve list beyond the requirements Of
the duties which they 70 perform IL is recon-
mended that an officer who is transferred to the
reserve list should be retired three-fourths pay
IN one grade higher than he holds when placed on
the reserve list It further is recommended that
lieutenant commanders transferred to the reserve
list be allowed retire voluntarily such half
pay OF grade, at the discretion Of the President.