The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-01

Necessity Tor Its Serious Consideration BY
Army o navy ONicers.

army AMI Navy Duncerb'
To Tine EDIToR or THR sUN-Sir. Many
articles have been printed regarding the pro-
motion by select lon Of officers Of the United
states navy and army. These havs app ear ed
In various periodicals and service papers.
Most Of them were against promotion by Sc
lection. Recently SOM able articles In sup
port OF II have appeared. Undoubtedly
those In "a vOr Of selection have not felt II
necessary to advocate q principle which IL
so evidently right. Tho so-called anti-se-
lectionists do not deny this principle. but
apparently lose sight Of II In their nervous
dread OF the means that may be adopted to
apply Il.
There can be no argument in regard to
whether 1t Ia right and Just TO promote the
best oficers ahead OF those who are lees Cff-
cient 20 perform the duties required OF them.
Honest selection stimulates competition and
IL an application OF the fLndam entail law Of
nature-the survival Of the httsst. The
present system OF promotion in the navy by
seniority does not stimulate competition.
the best men do not come to the top Of the
list and officers are too old when they arrive
In the higher grades; therefore any scheme
or promotion that removes these defects and
does not at the same time introduce obJec-
tionable features will be an impro vement
and should be adopted.
IL would seem that all officers must agree
tnus lar anu All ne pure eeleCtlOnletA Inc
only ground for discussion or disa Rr cement
Ia whether or not a proper scheme Of promo
ton by selection can be devised to correct the
faults in the present system of promotion
by seniority. Evidently there will be those
who believe that such a scheme can be de-
vised. and others who do not; and here ia
ground for honest difference OF opinion. IL
would seem. how ever, that all naval officers
should be loath to decide so important q
nnoaNtnn vrf hn,t4 aarafnI ~ .-kk .~l .S.l.
All must agree that selection properly APP
piled will improve the personnel Of the navy.
The question IL then. How can 1t be properly
applied2 Every of1cer should devote him.
self to the solution OF this problem. Those
who do not believe IT can be solved must adj
vance arguments and evidence strong yer than
works in the army" or The man with the
most political or personal influence will get
al the e,, pEOTo'iEn;" The scheme adoptedd
be very, easy II these are the only evils to be
guarded against.
selection should be in the higher grades, in
the lower grades or in all the grades. II
should be remembered that there are no legiti-
Officers are called upon to perform that do
not require officers OF the very best qualities.
GERS - az siS the ce iIninr tnes .anse ,nentS'ehcy OF 9r n
the service less than Of officers Of the higher
grades, and the higher the Grade the more
shore duties require offGers Of extended ex-
perience and Of the highest efficiency. ON
GERS OF the lower grades, other things being
equal. are not capable Of performing these
duties. Experts in all professions and walks
Of life readily detect the early signs that tend
to produce perfection in maturity and do
not wait many years, or until maturity is
reached. before applying the PRINCIPLE Of
selection for, the progressive development OF
the best in life.
There liz no legitimate naval duty for an
of1oer retired for physical disability or retired
from the higher grades because he in not as
highest grades. ofncers in the lower grades
may be capable Of performing subordinate
duties and vet not be qualified TO advance 90
the higher gradea. There Ia also n great deal
first Importance az regards the battle feet.
In order properly 70 reha hilitate the corps Of
officers now In existence 1t will be necessary
to select ont Of the higher grades officers Iees
Officers temporarily on shore duty. But at
the same time the principle NJ building up
The means OF ACCOMPLISHING the above
desired results must eliminate personal and
by Recommendation Of naval officers. senior
to those being selected. The moral and physi-
cal qualifications being equal. professional
ability alone should count; The greatest
good % the service should be the only con;
sideration and the interests of the individual
hict Herewith.
II was intended TO include In this letter a
promotion in the United States navy, but IL
Is not yet fully worked out, and il In hoped by
publishing this now to Induce many In the ser
vice 70 take up the subject 81 once and give
\ serious consideration, Let US rot deny
the possibility OF a solution OF this problem
without a conscientious effort.
WAsHINGTON, August 81. MARLBRIT.