New-York tribune., 1906-08-27
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
rFron The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington, August
NEW NAVY PAYMASTER GENERAL-rhere
has been contest in the naval service which
has attracted more attention within the navy and
led 10 greater rivalry among the numerous candi-
dates for the place than the fight for appointment
as chief of the bureau of supplies and accounts 70
succeed Paymaster H. r. B. Harris. who is serv-
Ing In that capacity. although on the retired list
The appointment would probably have been filled
some time ago II il We're not for The activity
shown by the friends OF the twenty-five thirty
occupy the grades OF pay director and pay in
speotor; The present paymaster general has rec.
o. the bureau with the Navy Department. which
acute situation has been thrown 70 none Of the
numerous rivals A list of the candidates will
and pay inspectors but the most prominent. from
ampng ans p a9 wa9m It now now seems likely kelly he selection ion
faf6r sSkeePeT at tRs navy ysTd at b
G; Mcdonald. on duty at the Naval Home at
and es shs S9 at eaTi
az the Savai S & the a no
the omnibus bin for the increase of pay Of every
nue. cutter service: Pay Inspector Livingston Hunt
the Meet pay officer on the Maine, New York
storekeeper at the Portsmouth % (N IL Navy Yard:
may nay Hs laspector to- George Simpson the dsSursng
az one time assistant TO the paymaster general
at the New York SavD YaT No one Sn as
70 say who viii get the place. which is one Of the
under this officer comes the expenditure OF great
plies - aus AOA '-''"A sup
ARTICLES OF WAR REvTsIoN-It is proposed
by the President to have the articles OF war
amended His attention has been called again to
the antiquated character OF the articles which,
save for some minor changes made from time to
time, are practically the articles OF more than a
century ago he is especially interested in changes
In the articles which relate TO trial by court
ial OF volunteers in time of The existing
h articles provide that in such an event the court
must be composed Of volunteer officers entirely
During the employment OF volunteer regiments in
volunteer officers ana Enlisted men were tried b
courts upon which sat regular officers. The courts
stances were illegal. and those sentenced had the
right TO claim redress This has led 20 the desire
restriction from the proceedings of the courts sit
will probably be impossible 20 do this since there
Is an enduring sentiment in Congress against the
Iriai triai OF volunteers by court composed. even 20
limited extent OF regulars There is the fear that
is no hope that only slight modifcation Of the
existing situation will ever be effected AS for the
them generally overhauled and brought up TO date.
at the time the General staff was Organized Colo
mel e. III. Crowder, now the acting judge advocate
posed amendments S but It has BEEN S consdered R9t
t ye te S mas n0{ araiyed ] fGT ateptns tTS ensnge
dents interest in the subject will probably serve to
SUBMARINE BOATS INdPROVED.-The effect
of the changes which recently made at the
New York Navy Yard the submarine boats
Shark and Porpoise have been under observation
at Newport while those vessels were put through
their PAGES. The Changes are found TO have in
creased the efficiency Of the vessels. principally IN
the way OF adding to their greater facility in
manoeuvre. They be turned about in quicker
time and otherwise prompt I'm responding
10 the wishes OF the navigator. This is an Inn
portant consideration. and adds greatly 20 the
radius of action. It has been decided TO extend
sibie ehat escb oS tSem in trn Ili I he bronSSt
later on 70 the navy yard at Brooklyn in order 70
changes have been sent TO the contractors at
new Submarines to which viii be extended the
features which have been Of such decided advan-
remains. however. the great problem OF navigation
next experfments will probably he with a view 10
directing the submarines by means OF the Periscope,
furnished
FORBIDDEN INSIGNIA.-The War Department
is having much difficulty in convincing makers OF
the uniforms OF the militia in regard to the in
sigma which wearers of such apparel may employ.
Numerous decisions have been rendered within the
last year or this subject without convincing
those most Interested or settling the question Of
style and decoration The uniform FOR the militia m
ing matter which is wholly within the control OF
the state or territorial authorities. There is no
states coat-of;aEms on either caps or buttons nor
coat-of-aTms on the coat collar.
RESTORATION OF "OLD IRONSIDES. The
files OK the War Department have recently been
ransacked TO some purpose in the discovery OF the
original specifications relating the United States
steamship Constitution. which is to be re-
stored TO something Ike her original appearance at
the navy yard at Boston. The naval constructors
have been busy with the designs in the hope that
value relating TO the construction Of the ship as
she originally planned They have so far sue
ceeded In getting what they believe TO be
thenttc OF the original plans and model of the
10 internal construction not TO be used in the
work contemplated the ship. as il is not neceS-
sary under the law to have the reproduction exact
far the unseen portions Of the vessel are
concerned.
wARSHrPS TO COAL AT SEA.-The plans for
the new coliers for the navy have been fully COM
pleted, with the exception Of the mechanism for
the handling OF coal. The vessels will be equipped
so as TO take on the fuel with the least possible
expenditure OF time. and will have appliances
which will enable them to coal at sea The latter
constitutes problem. There are two or three sys-
TENS in the world. and the naval experts are not
entirely satisfied with them. 1t is probable the
naval constructors will make some special effort TO
get up system OF their own, which will be applied
the stage Of construction when the appliances may
be installed II is appreciated that efficient
tenn Of coaling naval ships at will add TO their
efficiency on the firing line. IL will save time and
represent economy in other respects II they can
replenish exhausted bunker supply from the
colliers without going far from the scene of
tions.
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